We need to buy smaller, electric buses
It is really nice to read about the new $16.2 million transit facility because, we know, buses have to be serviced, maintained and parked.
The routes, stops, frequency and timing of the buses in the Cowichan Valley are also really nice but seeing the word “bus” it instantly comes to mind when I see them going by with, yes, the driver, but hardly any passengers. Why do we have these oversized hulks driving around costing a lot in fuel and are polluting when, for instant, the IslandLinkBuses are much smaller and they, heh, go from Courtenay to Victoria? Trade them in, the saving on fuel will offset any losses.
Or better yet, place someone at BC Transit in front of a computer to google “electric bus manufacturers” (there are over 40 of them) and do some research. Here is some help for this researcher: last September Vancouver started with four electric buses (they will have more) they charge within 10 minutes, yearly save $40,000 on fuel and avoid putting 100 tons of greenhouse gases into the air, which is also really nice. OK, they still cost more right now but the researcher can get the calculator out and add the yearly savings to see when it comes out even. With no oil change and very little maintenance required for these buses maybe a portion of the new “fantastic facility” can be used for something else or can we get a refund from the government if not all of it is used? They seem to have a lot of money for buildings, traffic signs and highways but not for something that does something for the environment.
Wolfgang Lehwald
Mill Bay