BC Transit will work with Arow Global Corporation to design and manufacture full driver doors the double-decker, heavy duty and medium duty buses across the province.
The project is expected to cost approximately C$6.5 million (US$4.944 million).
The full driver door includes a transparent piece of laminated tempered glass with an anti-glare coating and a metal base. It is designed to increase protection for drivers. The full driver door windows can be adjusted to account for sightlines associated with different seat positions.
BC Transit is on track to have new replacement and expansion buses come with the full driver door installed. The first buses with the full driver door will arrive in late 2019.
In early 2020, BC Transit will start retrofitting 650 buses in its provincial fleet with the full driver door. Buses scheduled for replacement within two years will not have the full driver door installed; instead, the replacement bus will be equipped with the full driver door installed.
While BC Transit continues to work on detailed implementation planning, it has determined the retrofitting process will begin in Victoria then move onto Kelowna.
Safety is BC Transit’s top priority and the full driver door is another tool along with:
- closed circuit television cameras;
- driver training to diffuse situations;
- partnerships with first responders; and
- enhanced communication technology on board the bus, including the radio system.
