Local News

City unveils new buses

Hamilton receives 18 hybrid buses at a cost of $16 million, funded by Metrolinx.

By Daniel Nolan, Last Updated Monday, August 31, 2009

Published in the Hamilton Spectator on August 31, 2009

The buses are here.

The City of Hamilton took delivery today of 18 new hybrid buses for a new transit route from the transit agency Metrolinx.

The buses were unveiled at a ceremony at the Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope with city, provincial and Metrolinx dignitaries on hand. The vehicles were built by Winnipeg-base New Flyer.

"These improvements will result in more frequent service, more capacity and more comfort for our riders," said Mayor Fred Eisenberger. "We look forward to working with Metrolinx in the coming months to implement future transit projects in Hamilton."

The diesel-electric buses cost $16 million and came from $33 million allotted to Hamilton by Metrolinx this spring to try and provide immediate transit improvements for residents. The bus purchases, however, were first announced at the end of 2008 as part of a deal with New Flyer to buy 160 buses for 12 municipalities.

Metrolinx chair Rob MacIsaac said the buses will help alleviate congestion on area roads.

"Anyone who travels around the region knows how difficult it is to get around," he said. These 18 buses are "ready to be added to the streets of Hamilton. Hamilton is a growing city and it has a strong history of transit."

The vehicles will be placed on a new A-line route through the city, which will run north-south and substantially on Upper James Street. it will serve such destinations as the city's waterfront, the rail stop on James Street North (behind Liuna Station), the downtown, the GO station on Hunter Street, Mohawk College and the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.

Six buses were lined up on the tarmac and their destinations signs spelled out the message: Hamilton and Metrolinx launch the new 20A Line Express Transit Routes.

The new A-line route is set to begin service Tuesday, Sept. 8, the day after Labour Day. It will operate on weekdays during peak periods, running at 30-minute intervals. Over time, it is anticipated the A-line will provide all-day service and operate at more frequent intervals.

The vehicles will also be employed on the city's popular B-line, which runs east-west across the city.

Hamilton is set to get another 17 new hybrid buses next year under the 2008 announcement with New Flyer.