St. Albert Transit has confirmed an order for 13 new 40-foot diesel buses from Canadian manufacturer Nova Bus, the company announced in a paid Globe Newswire release on Aug. 13, 2026. The purchase is the latest phase of the city's ongoing fleet renewal and expansion intended to support rising ridership across the Edmonton metropolitan area.
Fleet numbers and context
The new contract follows delivery of 19 Nova Bus vehicles previously supplied to St. Albert Transit. Once these 13 buses arrive, the total number of Nova Bus units integrated into the local network will be 32 — a fleet component that has been in place since 2025, according to the release.
- 13 — newly ordered 40-foot diesel buses
- 19 — vehicles already delivered
- 32 — total Nova Bus vehicles in St. Albert Transit since 2025
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| New order | 13 buses |
| Previously delivered | 19 buses |
| Total since 2025 | 32 buses |
What the city and manufacturer say
The Globe Newswire statement identifies the move as part of St. Albert Transit's strategy to modernize service while accommodating growth in the Edmonton-area transit market. Nova Bus emphasised durability and reliability as drivers behind the continued business.
"We thank St. Albert Transit for its continued trust in Nova Bus. This new contract reflects the strength of our partnership and our commitment to delivering reliable vehicles that meet the operational needs of public transit systems across Canada,"
The release also reiterated Nova Bus's position as a Canadian manufacturer within the Volvo Group and noted that its buses are "100% designed and manufactured in Canada." It framed conventional public transit buses — regardless of propulsion technology — as an "essential solution for sustainable mobility" by helping to lower the number of personal vehicles on the road.
Local implications
For commuters in St. Albert, the additional buses represent a continued investment in conventional diesel equipment as the municipality renews and expands its fleet. The expansion is presented as a response to growing ridership pressures in the regional transit network that links St. Albert with Edmonton and surrounding communities.
While the Globe Newswire release highlights operational priorities such as durability, performance and long-term value, it is a supplier statement and does not include details on procurement costs, delivery timetable, or any local council deliberations. Those specifics — including potential impacts on service frequency, routes and maintenance planning — would be matters for St. Albert Transit and city officials to confirm.
Vendor track record and regional context
Nova Bus noted more than 30 years of experience supplying transit agencies across Canada. The company framed the new order as part of an established partnership with St. Albert Transit that began with deliveries in 2025. For a city managing growth at the edge of a major provincial centre, bringing fleet capacity in line with demand is a practical priority for keeping buses on schedule and maintaining service quality.
As St. Albert continues to weigh transit investments, residents and business owners watching service reliability will be interested in further information from municipal sources on how the new vehicles will be deployed and whether future procurements will shift toward different propulsion technologies over time.
This report is based on a paid press release issued by Nova Bus via Globe Newswire on Aug. 13, 2026.
