New fleet hits the road this month
Apr 02, 2008 - 04:48 AM
By Reka Szekely
DURHAM -- Durham residents may be riding high next year when GO Transit expands its double-decker bus fleet.
GO's 12 new double-decker buses, the first of their kind in Ontario, will hit the road this month servicing the route between the Oakville GO Station and York University along Hwy. 403 and Hwy. 407. In 2009, another 10 double deckers will be added to the fleet.
"Those buses will be extending service to Unionville and possibly east towards Durham," said GO representative Stephanie Sorensen.
Each of the buses is 14-feet tall, wheelchair accessible and can seat 78 passengers, 46 on top and 32 on the lower level. With 37 per cent more seating capacity than a regular bus, the 12 double deckers will accommodate the same number of passengers as 17 regular ones.
The buses were introduced to the public on March 20 with Premier Dalton McGuinty on hand for the ceremonial unveiling.
"The public will definitely notice them, probably have some questions, but for customers it means better service, that's what it comes down to," said Ms. Sorensen.
GO says the buses have the most environmentally friendly engines on the market, lowering their emissions and several passenger friendly amenities like 12-volt power outlets, individual reading lights and individually controlled air condition vents.
The first 12 buses come with a $10.8-million price tag and the next 10 will cost $9.8 million. The fleet will be stored and maintained in a new garage in Streetsville.
Ms. Sorensen said GO drivers already participate in one of the most extensive training programs in the industry and double-decker drivers will receive additional training to drive the buses, including emergency instructions. In fact, one of GO's double deckers was spotted on the 401 in Durham last weekend, with its route sign reading "training".
But, this doesn't mean the end of single-level buses.
"It will continue to be a mix, the main reason being height restrictions," said Ms. Sorensen. For example, heading towards Union Station there are several bridges that don't meet the height requirement.
The buses will also use GPS technology to advise drivers of known overhead hazards.
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