Nine bus trips were cancelled on Tuesday morning, reminiscent of similar trip cancellations in early September, all due to maintenance issues for an aging fleet.
B.C. Transit said the nine trips were cancelled between about 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
B.C. Transit saw 18 trip cancellations on one day in September and 14 on another day in early October.
“We’ve been working hard to ensure that we don’t see a number in the double digits again,” said Shellene McConnell, senior communications adviser at B.C. Transit. “With that said, the cancellation of nine trips today was still nine more than we’d like to see.”
The agency provides more than 3,000 scheduled trips each weekday in Greater Victoria. The nine trips cancelled on Tuesday included four to the University of Victoria from various locations and two to downtown Victoria from the Langford Exchange. The last trip cancellation was at 8:03 a.m. for the No. 16 to UVic leaving from Carey Road.
“We apologize to any of our riders who were inconvenienced this morning as a result of these cancellations and appreciate their patience,” said McConnell.
B.C. Transit use is increasing but its buses are, on average, 12 years old, near the ideal maximum age, depending on the type of bus. At that age they often require more maintenance.
New buses are scheduled to join the fleet soon.
In July, B.C. Transit announced a federal, provincial and municipal investment of $79 million in the Greater Victoria bus fleet, including 10 battery-electric buses.
In January, B.C. Transit will see the arrival of new buses powered by compressed natural gas.
Throughout 2020, more replacement buses — including double deckers — will also arrive.
The 10 battery-electric buses are set to arrive in 2021.
