New CNG Buses for Transit Authority in British Columbia

The Regional District of Nanaimo in British Columbia will add 24 new CNG buses, which are expected to be deployed in January 2017. The new buses will replace in-use diesel powered buses.

The regional district will lease the buses from B.C. Transit, and the lease fees will increase to $1.8 million from $1.6 million, according to the Nanaimo News Bulletin. The district anticipates a significant reduction in maintenance and fuel costs that will help offset the lease cost of the new buses.

In March of 2014, Nanaimo deployed 25 New Flyer 40-ft. Xcelsior CNG buses, the first natural gas buses to be added to BC Transit’s fleet of approximately 650 heavy duty buses.

“CNG New Flyer buses will help play an integral role in achieving our region’s environmental and economic goals,” said Diane Brennan, Regional District of Nanaimo Transit Select Committee Chair.