City Set To Improve Transit Fleet Age & Reliability with New Buses

City Council today approved the application for funding for the purchase of up to 15 low-floor buses and up to 5 Access Transit buses under the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

“Purchasing these buses allows Saskatoon Transit to continue our improvements in our fleet reliability and age,” says Clae Hack, Director of Finance. “Leveraging federal funding programs for the purchase of new buses helps Saskatoon Transit deliver high-quality, comfortable service riders expect and deserve.”

The purchase of up to 15 low-floor buses is an estimated total cost of $7.95 million and up to 5 Access Transit buses is an estimated total cost of $650,000. The new buses will be funded initially with cash-on-hand until the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund application is approved and received.

“This investment enables Transit to continue towards the goal of reducing the fleet’s average age from 11.9 years to 7.3 years,” Hack says. “Reducing the average age also results in lower maintenance costs and a smaller fleet size, because fewer spare buses are required.”

The new buses, expected to arrive in 2017, will provide riders with modern transportation solutions and a better overall riding experience.