Dear Editor:
Re: Mechanics Shortage Adds to Blue Bus Blues, Oct. 8 story.
I was very surprised that there was no mention of electric buses in your story.
In today’s world, it has become common knowledge that the unprecedented natural events such as forest fires, droughts, floods and hurricanes have been exacerbated by the change in climatic conditions which in turn have been proven to be the result of the burning of fossil fuels.
Surely it’s time for the management of transit authorities such as our Blue Bus system to stop considering the replacement of the existing diesel buses with more of the same (and requiring even more mechanics) and turn their attention to the many benefits to be gained from running zero-emission buses – not the least of which is simplified drive trains which will substantially reduce the need for mechanics.
The facts speak for themselves: Diesel buses need replacement every 12 years while electric buses are projected to last two or three times as long. In addition, once you buy an electric bus, you don’t have to buy any fuel, which is $250,000 to $300,000 in savings in diesel fuel costs over the 12-year life of a typical bus. Other advantages include the absence of oil changes and the reduction in brake pad replacement thanks to regenerative braking technology.
As far as charging options go, there are several models now being employed in various cities.
They all enable a large city bus to pull up to a stop and, while passengers are boarding, get an eight- to 10-minute charge for another 30 miles of driving. Their deployment means a bus can stay in service all day without needing a time out to recharge.
Given all of these advantages, I look forward to hearing that the Blue Bus management are considering becoming part of the solution to fighting climate change rather than continuing to contribute to it.
Peter Miller
West Vancouver
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.
