|
|
Transit to retire last
high-floor vehicle
reprinted from Red Deer Advocate February 15, 2011
Red Deer Transit will soon
be entirely wheelchair accessible.
The last high-floor bus, a 1980 GMC model, will be retired this
week. In its place will be the newest bus on city streets, a 2010
New Flyer model.
Steve Parkin, transit facilities superintendent with the City of Red
Deer, said this changeover marks a milestone in Red Deer's transit
history.
"The old buses served us extremely well but the benefits of the
newest buses are many and not just for transit riders," he said.
The newer buses use clean diesel technology so emissions are greatly
reduced, improving air quality.
Seventy-per-cent of Red Deer Transit's fleet uses clean diesel. The
2010 buses remove particulate matter emissions by more than 90 per
cent compared with the older buses they replace.
The low-floor buses help customers to board and allow them to leave
the bus more quickly and more safely than from buses with steps. A
ramp at the front door and a kneeling feature will accommodate
customers with reduced mobility, as well as people with strollers.
News article: Rare GM public bus saved by city
bus man
(Red Deer Express Dec.2009)
|
