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 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to replace diesel buses at the end of their service life. Eight double decker diesel buses were also added to the local fleet as expansion buses.
All 44 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 total passenger capacity is unique to each model:
The 30-foot medium-duty Vicinity Classic CNG buses can carry 24 seated passengers and 20 standing passengers.
The 40-foot heavy-duty New Flyer Xcelsior CNG buses can carry 35 seated passengers and 46 standing passengers.
The Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 double decker buses can carry 80 seated passengers and 24 standing passengers.
This brings the total number of CNG buses operating in the Victoria Regional Transit System to 101. The acquisition of CNG buses 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 buses operating in the Central Fraser Valley, Kamloops, Regional District of Nanaimo and Resort Municipality of Whistler.
With this latest fleet arrival, Victoria now has 75 double decker buses operating in the regional system. Double decker buses contribute to climate action goals by having a higher capacity to transport more customers, which is important for heavily congested transportation corridors like the Westshore to downtown. BC Transit expects double decker battery electric buses to be part of future fleet replacement cycles.
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.
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada and Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
“Investing in public transit is key to enhancing Canadians’ quality of life – it improves traffic flow and contributes to a healthier environment. The addition of these new buses will have a real and positive impact on the daily lives of the people of Victoria, allowing them to move more comfortably, safely, and efficiently. Our government is pleased to work with partners to expand the Victoria Regional Transit System and make it easier for more people to choose and use public transit.”
Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“We know people in Greater Victoria are looking for reliable, affordable and efficient methods of travelling around the region. The addition of forty-four new buses expands and accelerates the development of public transit, providing more people that live, work and travel in Greater Victoria with a low-carbon transit option.”
Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit’s President and CEO “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.”
Maja Tait, Chair, Victoria Regional Transit Commission
“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.”
