VICTORIA– Starting today, passengers can expect to see 16 new light-duty buses operating in the Victoria Regional Transit System, providing safe, reliable and comfortable handyDART service for people across the region.
The 26-foot light-duty Micro Bird G5 buses can carry up to 18 seated passengers, and provide flexibility for up to four mobility aids. Each new bus is equipped with a lift system near the rear of the bus to provide safe loading and unloading of mobility aids. They also feature a white LED destination sign, modern vinyl seating, 3-point passenger seatbelts, white noise tonal back-up alarm and an integrated back-up camera. These features will improve the safety, cleanliness and customer experience for handyDART service.
All 16 buses come equipped with a temporary vinyl panel installed to protect the health of both drivers and passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic. These additions to the Victoria Regional Transit System will replace existing buses in the fleet that are nearing the end of their service life.
The deliveries are part of a wider plan to add approximately 62 light duty buses in select transit systems in B.C. in 2021. An additional 17 new Micro Bird MBII light duty buses will be added to the Victoria Regional Transit System later this year. These compact, gasoline fueled buses will replace existing diesel ARBOC and Mercedes Sprinter buses nearing the end of their service life.
The estimated cost per Micro Bird G5 bus is approximately $199,000 with funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). The federal and provincial governments are each contributing 40 per cent of the cost, with the Victoria Regional Transit Commission funding the remaining 20 per cent.
handyDART is an accessible, door-to-door shared transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using fixed-route transit without assistance from another person. handyDART picks you up at your accessible door and drops you off at the accessible door of your destination.
For more information, please visit bctransit.com
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