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Double-decker bus to have trial run on 601

TransLink looks to add capacity on highway routes
bus
The 601 route will see a double-decker bus in use starting Friday.

Note: After this story went to press, Translink informed the Optimist that the only route the double-decker would be on Friday is the 351.

 

Transit riders will get a chance to test out double-decker buses starting Friday in South Delta.

According to TransLink senior media relations advisor Chris Bryan, one of two double-decker buses that is part of a pilot project will be in service on the 351 and 601 routes.

Bryan said the bus will leave the Richmond Transit Centre garage at 4:29 a.m. Friday and each morning for the following week.

It will complete three trips on the 351 route and then switch to the 601 route (Bridgeport Station/South Delta/Boundary Bay).

The other bus will be on routes that cover stops in Langley, Surrey and White Rock.

The pilot project is a way to test double-decker buses on long-distance commuter routes.

The two buses were supplied at no charge by British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis.

The double-decker buses can seat 80 to 86 passengers, up to 83 per cent more than the older highway coaches, and have double the overall capacity.

The pilot program will allow TransLink to see how double-decker buses fare in the Lower Mainland, both from a customer experience and operational standpoint, and to evaluate bus depot requirements. 

“We’re preparing for 1.2 million more people in our region over the next 30 years. With growing suburban demand in communities south of the Fraser River, we are looking at new ways to ensure that transit is an attractive option for commuters,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond.

“Double-decker buses have worked well in other cities, including nearby Victoria, and I have personal experience with buses like these in Seattle where they worked very well. I’m confident they’ll work well here too.”