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  2. REPORT RECOMMENDS PURCHASING TEN NEW BUSES

REPORT RECOMMENDS PURCHASING TEN NEW BUSES

For immediate release: September 28, 2014 - 6:00 pm
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Transit Administration is recommending the purchase of ten new Nova buses to arrive in May 2015, allowing Saskatoon Transit to retire ten of its buses nearing the end of their service life. The recommendation will be discussed as one of the items at September 29 City Council.

“We’re excited about this opportunity because it is a benefit for both Transit riders and our Operators and Mechanics,” says Bob Howe, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Providing a more reliable and comfortable service to riders, while ensuring our Operators and Mechanics have the best tools to do their job remains a key value at Saskatoon Transit.”

Saskatoon Transit recently announced the purchase of five new buses that are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. The additional recommendation for the purchase of ten new buses is required to improve the median age of the fleet to the recommended industry standard of 9 years and retire some of the oldest buses that have more than 1.5 million kilometres and are 20 years old.

 “We are anxious to get Transit moving again and we remain focused on continuing to improve operations when service resumes.” says Howe. “The purchase of ten new buses will allow us to retire our ten oldest buses.”

Howe says Saskatoon Transit today does not represent what Saskatoon Transit will look like in the coming years. “Transit is currently being re-envisioned as part of the Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon initiative and is expected to include a significant Bus Rapid Transit system.  The five new buses arriving shortly will be an immediate improvement and the ten new buses arriving in May 2015 will help position Transit for long term success.”

If the recommendation for the purchase of ten new Nova buses is approved this will support the future growth of Saskatoon Transit as the City expands to half a million people. 

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter at @CityofSaskatoon and @YXEServiceAlert and on Facebook at Saskatoon City News.