Stephen Bacchus received the Young Leaders Award at the 2023 CUTA Awards Ceremony.

Stephen Bacchus holds direct responsibility for formulating asset management strategies, policies, and objectives pertaining to a fleet of 500 MiWay transit buses and 70 transit support vehicles, collectively estimated at a value of $600 million. Over the past five years, Stephen has played a pivotal role in MiWay Transit and the City of Mississauga’s decarbonization journey. His direct involvement included the development of the city’s Business, Environmental, and Socioeconomic Case to transition away from conventional diesel buses towards low and zero-emission transit buses. This concerted effort resulted in the city securing funding totalling $360 million from the Federal and Provincial Governments over a span of seven years, earmarked for the exclusive acquisition of hybrid-electric and zero-emission buses. Stephen has overseen the management of numerous significant projects, including the pioneering EV Geo-Fencing project (the first of its kind in North America), the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus program (a first in Ontario), the Battery-Electric Bus project, and the implementation of EV Charging Infrastructure, among others.

Stephen stands as a prominent figure in the transit industry, holding executive positions within CUTA and OPTA. His active involvement in upholding industry best practices extends to leading a team responsible for the commercial management of conventional buses, paratransit, and non-revenue vehicles. Stephen actively disseminates knowledge among peers and frequently presents at industry conferences. His innovative mindset has been a cornerstone of success in implementing the City’s Climate Change Action Plan.

Stephen’s primary focus lies in the decarbonization of Mississauga’s transit fleet, aligned with overarching strategic and operational objectives. Notably, he has eschewed the purchase of diesel buses in favour of hybrid-electric models, resulting in a reduction of GHG emissions by 1,405 tonnes of CO2 annually. Furthermore, Stephen has taken proactive steps by installing 59 EV charging stations and acquiring 24 EVs in 2023. His aim is to attain net-zero emissions well before the target year of 2050.