Forty-four new buses were added to the Victoria Regional Transit System in the last quarter of 2022, helping secure safe and efficient transportation for transit riders. The new arrivals include 15 medium-duty and 21 heavy-duty natural gas buses to replace diesel buses at the end of their service life.
All buses are equipped with passenger USB ports, bike racks that accommodate three-inch tires, white LED destination signs and full driver doors designed to protect the health and safety of drivers and passengers.
The 15 30-foot medium-duty Vicinity Classic CNG buses can carry 24 seated passengers and 20 standing passengers, while the 40-foot heavy-duty New Flyer Xcelsior CNG buses can carry 35 seated passengers and 46 standing passengers.
This brings the total number of CNG buses operating in the Victoria Regional Transit System to 101. The acquisition of new NGVs is part of BC Transit’s Low Carbon Fleet Program which strives towards a cleaner, greener fleet by 2040. This program supports provincial targets for greenhouse gas emissions and aligns with CleanBC’s climate action goals. BC Transit also has CNG vehicles operating in the Central Fraser Valley, Kamloops, Regional District of Nanaimo and Resort Municipality of Whistler.
The total investment for the 44 buses was just over $34.5 million. Funding was cost shared through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), where eligible costs for infrastructure and fleet investments are shared between the Governments of Canada, the Province, local governments, and other partners. Under this funding partnership, the Government of Canada contributed more than $13.7 million, the Province contributed approximately $13.8 million, and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission funded the remaining, approximately $6.9 million.
“BC Transit is grateful to partner with the Government of Canada and the Province to purchase fleet that supports our collective climate sustainability goals. The addition of these new buses contributes to our vital transition towards a greener, more efficient transit system for our valued transit customers,” said Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit’s President and CEO.
“Public transit offers people a greener choice when travelling throughout the greater Victoria area. Working strategically to replace older buses with more efficient ones, and simultaneously encouraging people to use transit, results in cleaner air and health benefits for all of us,” added Maja Tait, Chair, Victoria Regional Transit Commission.
Source: BC Transit
