An Aldergrove bus company is providing several new, medium-duty compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to Greater Victoria’s transit fleet.
Grande West Transportation’s Vicinity buses will be entering service before summer, among a total of 46 heavy-duty and 25 medium-duty CNG buses gradually being added to their fleet added from companies.
Each bus will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, compared to a traditional clean diesel bus, said Grande West CEO William Trainer.
The company is headquartered at 3168 262 St., where Trainer operates, along with engineers, labourers, and other transportation employees.
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The medium-sized bus can carry 24 seated passengers and 20 standing passengers.
Heavy-duty buses cost $710,000 and the medium duty ones are $455,000.
Funding for the buses comes through the federal-provincial Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, which covers 80 per cent of costs. The Victoria Regional Transit Commission supplied the remaining 20 per cent.
Each bus is equipped with a three-inch bike rack, a protective driver’s door and LED destination signage.
Greater Victoria is the fourth region to add CNG buses to its fleet, following Whistler, Nanaimo and Kamloops.