The deal will see Wilson’s use a battery-powered Model C8M highway coach for the next three months on the route between Victoria and Nanaimo.
“It has always been our company’s plan to reduce our emissions and footprint, however, with the setback we have experienced through COVID, the high cost of replacing our fleet with electric vehicles seemed out of reach,” said Wilson’s chief executive John Wilson.
“This new partnership allows both companies to help do our part towards a sustainable future.”
The bus can accommodate 41 passengers, is powered by a 313-kWh battery and retails for $599,000, according to BYD Canada’s Ted Dowling.
Vancouver Island Connector, Tofino Bus service to resume Thursday mycowichanvalleynow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mycowichanvalleynow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Some intercity bus companies on Vancouver Island are going to be fuelled by a $10.7-million COVID-19 cash injection from the B.C. government over the next year. But it s still unclear if the rubber will hit the road in a number of rural, remote North Island communities that had non-existent or inadequate intercity service even prior to the pandemic. B.C. Premier John Horgan announced last week that intercity bus operators can apply for grants that will get them rolling by early April, and another $16.7 million is slated for regional airports to support both transportation services until March 31 next year.
Some intercity bus companies on Vancouver Island are going to be fuelled by a $10.7-million COVID-19 cash injection from the B.C. government over the next year.
But it’s still unclear if the rubber will hit the road in a number of rural, remote North Island communities that had non-existent or inadequate intercity service even prior to the pandemic.
B.C. Premier John Horgan announced last week that intercity bus operators can apply for grants that will get them rolling by early April, and another $16.7 million is slated for regional airports to support both transportation services until March 31 next year.
VICTORIA The Vancouver Island-based Wilson s Group says its hopeful about the future of its intercity bus services following an outpouring of support from community members and local government leaders. The company, which operates the Tofino Bus and Vancouver Island Connector bus routes, had to suspend operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Feb. 2, Wilson s Group said it would be extending its service suspension and said it was at a risk of permanently closing. With our current passenger counts we are unable to cover the costs for these runs and simply cannot afford to continue to operate these routes, said president John Wilson at the time.