Residents who use Lethbridge Transit will soon notice a new sleek look to the fleet.
Seven new vans will be hitting the road to service the Ride-on-Demand areas as some Access-a-Ride users. The vans are more sleek, comfortable and are cost-effective.
“These new vehicles are cheaper to purchase, maintain and cost less to run due to the increased fuel efficiency,” says Mario Galeana, Transit Asset Manager.
“The last time we purchased Access-a-Ride vehicles, which was pre-pandemic, the cost was in the range of $200,000. These new vans were purchased for approximately half of that amount and offer roughly a 50 per cent reduction in maintenance costs too.”
The new vans also have better insulation against noise and temperatures, making a smoother ride. The vans are smaller and more easily maneuverable, making for easier handling for drivers.
“One additional benefit is we have the ability to customize seating in these new vehicles,” adds Galeana.
“It means we can adjust the seating configuration to meet demand on routes if needed. If we’re seeing a route that requires more seating and less space for wheelchairs, we can make that change to accommodate more passengers and vice versa.”
Lethbridge Transit has been working to provide a better transit experience while being cost-effective with tax dollars.
All seven new vehicles will be operational starting this month.
