TransLink converts West Coast Express fleet to renewable diesel in British Columbia

Photo: TransLink

TransLink announced Sept. 18 that it is one step closer to achieving its net-zero emissions goals by converting the fleet of its commuter rail service, the West Coast Express, to renewable diesel.

Renewable diesel comes from organic waste, such as used cooking oil, waste animal fats and vegetable oils.

Renewable diesel also burns cleaner than fossil fuel diesel.

According to TransLink, the conversion delivers a 97 percent greenhouse-gas (GHG) reduction across the fuel lifecycle compared to fossil-fuel diesel.

In total, this means a 3,200-metric-ton annual GHG reduction, or the equivalent of taking 940 cars off the road per year.

“Converting the West Coast Express to renewable diesel is an important step towards achieving a zero-emission future,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn.

“Customers can feel good knowing that each trip to and from the Fraser Valley is helping to reduce the region’s carbon footprint,” Quinn added.

Surrey Transit Centre was the first bus depot to transition to renewable diesel in December 2023, followed by Port Coquitlam Transit Centre and the Vancouver Transit Centre earlier this year.

Implementing renewable diesel will help TransLink achieve goals outlined in the Climate Action Strategy, including reducing GHGs 45 percent by 2030 (from 2010 levels).

TransLink said it remains committed to moving to a zero-emission bus fleet by 2040.

With an expanding SkyTrain network, and a fleet of 280 electric trolley buses and battery-electric buses, TransLink said it provides a robust network of zero-emissions transportation options for customers.

The first all-electric transit center, located at Marpole in Vancouver, is under construction and is on track to be completed by 2027.

TransLink is expected to deploy a total of 460 battery-electric buses by 2030.