Published June 11, 2012
By Philippe Crowe
New articulated buses for Züm, Brampton, Ontario’s bus rapid transit (BRT) service, were unveiled today.
Kyle Seeback, Member of Parliament for Brampton-West; Vic Dhillon, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation and Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton-West; and Susan Fennell, Mayor of Brampton, were on hand for the event.
The new Xcelsior model 60-foot articulated vehicles chosen for Brampton Züm are manufactured by New Flyer Industries in Winnipeg, Manitoba. These BRT vehicles feature clean hybrid diesel-electric technology and boast a 10- to 15-percent fuel reduction compared to conventional diesel vehicles. They are lightweight and quiet, have unique theater-style seating in the articulated joint and have two rear exit doors. These new vehicles can carry about 40 percent more passengers than 40-foot vehicles.
The $285-million Brampton Züm project is being delivered in two phases. In addition to the purchase of BRT vehicles, Phase I includes construction of BRT lines on Queen Street completed in September 2010, Main Street completed in September 2011, and Steeles Avenue scheduled for completion in fall 2012. Phase II of the project will expand service along Queen Street and Steeles Avenue, and will introduce service on Bovaird Drive. Completion is expected by the end of 2017.
The Government of Canada has committed up to $95 million for both phases of Brampton’s plan. The Province of Ontario has already provided its contribution of $95 million, and the City of Brampton will fund the remaining $95 million in total project costs.
0 comments:
Post a Comment