A look at the new TransLink buses entering service in Vancouver
A look at the new TransLink buses entering service in Vancouver
Last week, the first of our new 40-foot hybrid buses, built by Nova Bus, went into service on route 25 UBC/Brentwood Station!
The buses have a diesel-electric hybrid drive system, which means they’ll have the lowest greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption in our fleet (aside from our electric trolleybuses).
They also feature air conditioning and engines that stop at idle, as well as factory-installed protection barriers for operators — a standard feature on all new buses.
The bus is the first of 104 new buses that will go into service at Vancouver Transit Centre. As the buses go through the proper testing, we’ll be adding them to the fleet.
Coast Mountain Bus Company is also expecting 23 new 40-foot Nova highway coaches, which are currently undergoing pre-delivery inspections. These buses will go into service at Richmond Transit Centre.
Great to hear, love them Nova buses – roomy, clean and state of the art.
Are these replacement buses or expansion?
Rode these buses for the first time last night and this morning out to South Delta and into Bridgeport. The seating has shrunk on these buses from 60 down to 40-45 leaving a packed bus standing while scooting down Highway 99. This is a significant reduction in capacity and an increased risk of someone getting hurt due to a quick stop on the highway. There is a yellow handbar contraption between the front and back sections of the bus that people are banging their hips against as it constricts the passageway. Finally, there is a large amount of headroom drastically reduced due to the large storage area in these new buses. No one ever uses these storage areas – I suggest that they remove these and save some medical law suits. Sorry folks, I don’t like the new buses – love their intentions but we need an iteration or two on the objectives.
In addition to Geoff’s comment, the tap in compass receptacle at the front of the bus is so low everybody boarding has to bend over to tap in. Ditto the yellow handbars; they’re situated in a way that nobody can walk in a straight line from front to back of bus, they have to shimmy around the giant handlebars. Another point is that in the rear seating area there is a raised portion jutting out from under opposing seats which makes it awkward to sit for people of all heights. Aren’t these designs tested prior to being accepted and put into use?
I agree with the above 2 posts about the highway buses – they have less seats, much less comfortable seating than the current highway buses with nice seating. Seems like they are worse but I get they might be quieter and more fuel efficient. Are the double deckers and the 40 foot buses going to be used on the same routes ?
Whenever this bus hits the tiniest bump I swear something falls off the bottom. It’s a painful ride.
There seem to more of these buses every day on the 351/352 route to/from White Rock. I was actually trying to avoid the times that one of these buses was on the route, as I find the seats terribly uncomfortable (hard/less leg room/awkward/more double seats that only seem to fit one (larger) bottom/really loud and ‘bumpy’ in the rear), but I seem to hit one every time now. We are highway commuters, and I still strongly disagree that anyone should be standing at highway speeds, and yet there is more demand (!) daily and now less capacity. I would appreciate if the translink site could indicate which runs have one of these buses so I could attempt to avoid them.
I agree with the previous posts. They are less comfortable than the previous busses. The super high double bench in some of them seems a little risky. They look liked seating is
decreased and definitely less comfortable. Having said that I’m sure there is so.w reasoning for the new Swati g design.
I was just getting used to my seniors compass card and riding the buses more and leaving my car at home more often. However because of a health condition, I will not be able to ride the 351 from White Rock to Bridgeport on the new buses. They don’t handle bumps well – they don’t seem to have any shocks and shudder when they hit a pot hole. I am very disappointed to have to start using my car again to drive from White Rock to Vancouver.
I agree with all previous posts. Currently sitting at the front of the bus on the elevated seats. I’m 6”2 and as people are walking in they are consistently rubbing against my legs. The lack of seating is evident and I agree with previous posters for longer trips they should not use these buses. I understand the other buses are older but the design of the new ones are poor.
I think it’s worth putting up with the teething problems of the new buses in order to do our bit for climate change.
I agree..terrible design..rode one in the rain yesterday..hard to maneuver past bar with bags and umbrella..to even get off at exit..missed the tap because it was so low..if they put more of these out..I’m gonna go back to driving my car..
The new seating design is horrible. Minimal standing room makes it very difficult to get off the bus when it’s full. I’m rubbing knees with the people sitting near me. The seats in the back are very uncomfortable to be or sit near tall people. The previous design seemed to hold more people way more comfortably.
Presently riding on 601 to Bridgeport. What a horrible design. Absolutely no comfort. Greatly reduced seating capacity. You can feel every bump in the road. Half of the seating is ridiculously situated.
How can I find out the times this bus is running so I can avoid traveling on it.