Twenty-five more compressed natural gas buses will be on Greater Victoria streets in the coming weeks as B.C. Transit continues with its Low Carbon Fleet Program.
The 30-foot-long CNG buses have a capacity for 24 seated passengers and 20 standees, along with a bike rack that can accommodate three-inch tires.
The region’s first CNG buses arrived in late February.
Purchase price is about $455,000 apiece for the latest vehicles. Much of the funding is from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, which sees both the federal and provincial governments contributing about 40 per cent of the cost.
The Victoria Regional Transit Commission is providing 20 per cent.
B.C. Transit president and CEO Erinn Pinkerton said the buses are a key to the plan to transition to a zero-emission fleet by 2040. She said the buses are greener than others and will reduce environmental impact.
Susan Brice, who chairs the transit commission, said public transit already provides a greener choice for people.
“Replacing buses in the fleet that are older and less efficient with CNG buses can only encourage more people to their part for the environment by getting on board.”
