B.C. Transit is testing a new bus on its Beacon Hill/Gonzales route.
The MiDi demonstration bus, manufactured by New Flyer Industries, has a front and rear door and capacity for 31 seated passengers and up to 33 standing — comparable to a standard bus, which has seats for 32 and standing room for 32 to 36.
But the MiDi, which at 35 feet in length is five feet shorter than a standard bus, is billed as a lighter, more fuel-efficient transit vehicle with exceptional manoeuvrability — and a smaller price tag.
“The MiDi bus is expected to deliver a significant reduction — anticipating 25 per cent — in fuel consumption compared to a 40-foot bus, while offering similar low-floor passenger accessibility,” said B.C. Transit spokeswoman Meribeth Burton.
“This type of bus is ideally suited to lower ridership routes or those with tight or narrow roadways.”
It features a low-floor entry way to accommodate passengers with strollers, walkers or wheelchairs.
The bus is being tested to see if it meets transit industry standards, including durability, reliability, safety, maintainability and performance testing.
“B.C. Transit is continually working with bus manufacturers to evaluate suitability of future products for our transit systems throughout the province,” Burton said.
“This trial … provides an opportunity to B.C. Transit to provide feedback directly to the vehicle manufacturer on product characteristics and any issues experienced.”
The MiDi bus costs about $325,000, while a standard bus is about $500,000.
