Vernon – New Grande West Vicinity buses are arriving in Vernon and Coldstream as replacements for the current fleet of buses in the community. A total of ten buses will arrive in Vernon by the end of summer.
“Customers will see and hear a difference with these new Vicinity buses as they are more effective and efficient than the existing fleet,” said Manuel Achadinha, BC Transit President and Chief Executive Officer. “The new buses will help us to better connect people and communities in Vernon.”
The new buses are made by Grande West Transportation International Ltd., based in Aldergrove, B.C. The 30-foot medium duty buses will help better meet the transit needs of the communities they serve as they have better performance, more environmentally friendly and reduced fuel consumption.
“The City of Vernon is pleased to see the arrival of these new replacement buses. They will be rolled out into service as they arrive and the full fleet of ten will here in time for the 2018 Vernon and Coldstream transit system routes changes and improvements,” said City of Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund. “The size and capacity of these buses were selected knowing the how the transit system will expand over the years in line with the jointly developed Transit Future Plan the City’s Transportation Plans. These buses will be attractive, accessible and encourage greater ridership and we look forward to seeing them around Vernon.”
Each Vicinity bus can seat 24 passengers with room for another 20 standees. There is also space for two mobility aids. Medium-duty buses burn less fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 30 per cent, when compared to a standard heavy-duty (40-foot) bus.
Each bus will cost $316,543, and is funded by the Province of BC and through
BC Transit’s local government lease fee program.
“We are honoured to have been selected as the preferred supplier of these 30’ buses to service Vernon and Coldstream,” said William Trainer, Grande West’s Chief Executive Officer. “Having been designed and built with support of BC Transit, we anticipate that both the operators and ridership will be thrilled with the overall performance, safety and comfort of our Vicinity buses.”
The new buses will also have active closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to improve the safety of our customers and drivers. Cameras have been installed on buses
in Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Chilliwack, Whistler, Dawson Creek, Quesnel, Penticton, Nelson and Victoria. Details about the CCTV camera program can be found at bctransit.com.
The introduction of these ten buses is part of a larger province-wide refresh program, with over 100 new buses arriving in communities across British Columbia this year from Grande West, New Flyer and ARBOC.
More details about the Vernon Transit System can be found at bctransit.com/vernon.
Media contact
Jonathon Dyck, BC Transit Communications Manager
Media@bctransit.com | 250-995-5720
