The Idling of Transit Buses
In 2002, the Town of Oakville enacted By-Law #2002-153 for the purpose of controlling the idling of vehicles. Section 2 (1) of this by-law states "No person shall cause or permit a vehicle to idle for more than five (5) consecutive minutes."
Oakville Transit recognizes and appreciates the environmental concerns that gave rise to this by-law. In addition, Transit is aware of the financial cost associated with unnecessary idling of its buses. There are however, several exemptions included in the by-law that allow for idling of transit buses in excess of five (5) minutes. Specifically, the five (5) minute idling restriction does not apply to:
- Section 2 (2) (h) Transit and passenger vehicles while passengers are embarking or disembarking en route or at terminals;
- Section 2 (2) (i) Transit vehicles while at a layover or stopover location, except where the idling is substantially for the convenience of the operator of the vehicle;
- Section 2 (2) (k) Vehicles when the ambient outside temperature is more than 27 degrees Celsius (27°C) or less than five degrees Celsius (5°C) and the idling of the vehicle is necessary to the operation of air conditioning or heating equipment respectively.
While these exemptions technically allow Oakville Transit vehicles to idle in excess of 5 minutes under certain conditions we will also encourage our drivers to apply discretion in consideration of both the environmental and financial costs associated with excessive idling.
Download the complete text of Idling Control By-law #2002-153 (pdf).
Oakville Transit is committed to environmental stewardship and invites comments and/or concerns regarding this or any other matter. We also invite all residents of the Town of Oakville to make an individual contribution to improving our natural environment by taking public transit at least once per week.
For more information on environmental initiatives, visit http://www.oakville.ca/environment.htm
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