Medicine Hat News
City fleet managers are not only shrinking the number of natural gas-powered buses they plan to run, but ordering smaller buses as well.
Such a move, long a sore spot for critics of the Medicine Hat Transit system, was revealed Monday as council viewed a winning bid to supply 11 new full-sized replacement buses.
In October, the News revealed the new order and asked suppliers to provide six CNG-powered units and five diesel, an apparent backtracking on the plan to convert the entire fleet to run on the lower-cost, lower-emitting fuel.
That was explained as a safeguard against being 100 per cent reliant on CNG in case the only fuelling station — built by the city four years ago — was disabled.
Coun. Jamie McIntosh asked about the resale value of such, considering the limited use of CNG buses in Canada.
“There’s a limited market using CNG buses, so the intention is to hold them for their (entire) lifespan,” said corporate services commissioner Brian Mastel, who also said managers are exploring shorter buses for use.
Since 2012, administrators have been replacing vehicles sooner in their service lives in hopes of earning greater resale value, while avoiding higher maintenance costs of older vehicles.
Coun. Jim Turner said shorter buses are suggested often.
“It probably costs the same to run a big one as a smaller one, but it’s a matter of perception,” said Turner.
The bids were won by Grand West Transportation, to supply 11 full-sized buses for $4.98 million, and to Overland Custom Coach to supply seven “special transit” units for $1.2 million.
