Welland in the News
Adding to fleet an important step for Welland Transit
November 9, 2021
Adding to fleet an important step for Welland Transit
Welland transit buses making their way along East Main Street. KRIS DUBE / TORSTAR FILE PHOTO
Addressing a shortage of buses will be a step taken by Welland Transit when it receives its portion of $345 million the provincial government has committed to municipal transportation systems.
The province made an announcement last week that it will be providing cash infusions to transit operators across Ontario.
Welland Transit manager Edward Zahra said it’s too early to know what the city’s portion of this amount will be.
“Right now, our fleet is the most important (concern),” he said, noting Welland Transit has 25 conventional buses and at least three more would be ideal when service resumes at a much higher capacity than the 31 per cent it is operating at now.
A new bus costs about $700,000, he said.
The current number of buses does not meet a preferred “spare ratio,” he said, meaning there is little room to work with when one breaks down or has mechanical issues.
“Fortunately, our mechanics are really good about getting things up to spec or repaired in a very timely fashion,” said Zahra.
Like many services and businesses everywhere, Welland Transit is recovering from the pandemic.
“We’re trying to improve our overall service, and in order to do that, we need more service,” said Zahra.