Transit riders across Greater Victoria will soon start seeing new double-decker buses rolling through the region.
BC Transit has begun rolling out the first two of 39 new double-decker buses for the Victoria Regional Transit System, part of a larger effort to strengthen public transit with safer, more reliable transportation.
The buses are the Enviro 500 model built by Alexander Dennis, and they are expected to help handle growing demand on busy routes. One key route expected to benefit is the 95 Blink RapidBus, which carries more than 11,000 passengers every day connecting Langford, Colwood, View Royal and Saanich with downtown Victoria.
Each of the new buses can seat 80 passengers, with additional space for up to 24 standing riders on the lower level.
According to BC Transit, the vehicles also include several upgraded features designed to improve the passenger experience.
Riders will find USB charging ports at every seat, compatibility with the Umo fare payment system, and real-time trip information through BC Transit’s NextRide system, including audio stop announcements on both levels of the bus.
Full-colour digital screens will display upcoming stops, route details and service alerts, while a monitor near the stairs allows passengers to check upper-deck seat availability before heading upstairs.
Other features include improved wheelchair securement positions, modern easy-to-clean seating, bike racks capable of holding two bikes with wider tires, and side-mounted “docking lights” that illuminate bus stop areas to improve safety when passengers are boarding or exiting.
Of the 39 new buses, 29 will replace older vehicles nearing the end of their service life, helping maintain reliability in the system. The remaining 10 buses will expand the fleet, supporting service increases announced earlier this year.
Funding for the new buses comes from multiple levels of government and regional partners.
Twenty-nine of the buses were funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, with contributions of approximately $20.99 million from the federal government, $21.89 million from the Province of BC, and $12.4 million from the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, for a total of about $55.3 million.
The remaining 10 buses were purchased through a cost-sharing agreement between the Province of BC ($8.4 million) and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission ($12 million), for a total of $20.4 million.
Officials say the investment will help support the region’s growing population while improving the overall transit experience.
“Our double-decker buses are iconic in the Victoria region,” said Erinn Pinkerton, president and CEO of BC Transit, noting the new buses will help maintain reliable service on some of the region’s busiest routes, including trips to the West Shore, the University of Victoria, downtown and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
The remaining buses are expected to arrive throughout the year as they are gradually added to the fleet.
