Out With the Old, In With the New

Ten new BC Transit buses will be on the road in Vernon and Coldstream by the end of the summer.

Denny Byrne, Transit’s Director of fleet management, says the 30 foot long buses include new features and enhancements.

“They have two doors. They can accommodate up to 44 passengers, so 24 seated and 20 standings, and there’s room for two mobility aids. They have a bike rack and a ramp as well,” says Byrne who was at a news conference with two of the new buses outside Vernon City Hall Friday.

Byrne says they also have closed circuit TV’s for the safety of passengers and drivers.

“We’ve had some great experiences when we piloted the CCTV a while back, and it’s been instrument in being a deterrent and in investigations,” Byrne tells Kiss FM.

Each bus costs $316,543, and is funded by the province and through Transit’s local government’s lease fee program.

They will replace current ones in Vernon and Coldstream that date back to 1999.

Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund says the new ones are shorter 30 feet as opposed to the standard 40 feet), and should encourage more riders.

“These buses, I think are the first buses in the province to be delivered to a community of our size. But I also think they become more comfortable with not just the drivers but the people in them. You’re closer together and you can start communications in them,” Mund tells Kiss FM.

The medium duty Grande West Vicinity buses burn less fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, compared to the standard 40 foot buses.