Funding for upgrades to the onboard bus systems and security systems for the Coast Mountain Bus Company, a subsidiary of TransLink, was announced by the Canadian government and the Province of British Columbia.
These updates will improve onboard safety for passengers and drivers and will enhance Vancouver's transit system by supporting easier route planning, faster communication between dispatch and drivers, and access to up-to-date information.
"This much-needed investment allows us to renew the lifecycle of aging technology on our bus and SeaBus fleet,” said Coast Mountain Bus Company President Michael McDaniel. “This upgrade is essential to ensuring our customers can continue to rely on our buses for a safe, comfortable ride. I thank our senior government partners for their investment in our fleet, and for helping us keep our buses on the road serving customers."
Onboard computer and computer-aided dispatch systems will be replaced, and touch-screen computers and new radio systems will be installed on up to 1,200 buses. In addition, approximately 1,100 vehicle communication routers will be installed, and up to 920 bus security camera systems replaced with higher resolution digital systems.
"Safe, reliable public transportation that gets people where they need to go is integral to healthy communities and a clean environment,” said the Honorable George Heyman, British Columbia's Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for TransLink. “By modernizing technology, TransLink is improving the safety of passengers and drivers, providing faster and more useful information for transit users, and streamlining operations to make the public transit experience even better."
The combined C$31.4 million (US$25.86 million) is evenly split with both TransLink and the federal government contributing C$15.7 million (US$12.93 million) each to the project. The federal government’s portion is through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Plan.
