Double-decker buses coming to Metro Vancouver
Posted March 29, 2018 3:13 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS 1130) – They’re no longer just in London or Seattle, double-decker buses will soon be a permanent fixture on the streets of Metro Vancouver.
TransLink has announced it will add double-decker buses to its fleet starting sometime in mid-2019.
“The transit authority has issued a request for proposals for the delivery of 32 new double-decker buses after its four-month pilot project yielded overwhelmingly positive feedback. The double-deckers, provided free of charge by bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis, served seven long-haul bus routes in Vancouver, Langley, Surrey, White Rock and Delta during the pilot,” says TransLink in a statement.
“We’re hearing a lot of people say they like the extra room, they say the ride is pretty smooth, operators tell us that it drives really well — it’s really easy to maintain and the fuel economy is pretty good,” adds Jill Drews with TransLink.
Double-decker buses will feature:
- Double the capacity of a conventional bus
- Panoramic views from the top deck
- A wide, well-lit staircase with handrails to maximize safety
- A screen that allows riders to see vacant seats up top before going upstairs
- Full accessibility with a low step, flat floor and ramp for boarding
TransLink says funding for the addition to the fleet will be paid for thanks to money through the Federal Gas Tax.
