CBRM studying cost of switching to electric transit buses
There is some concern among Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillors about the cost of converting the transit fleet to electric vehicles, but CBRM Mayor Amanda McDougall says there is also not much choice.
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Mayor says federal subsidies will end soon for diesel buses and converting to electric will be mandatory
Posted: May 12, 2021 6:00 AM AT | Last Updated: May 12
CBRM looks to replace some diesel buses with electric
CBC News Nova Scotia12 days ago
2:11The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has started a study to consider which routes can easily be converted to electric buses.2:11
HALIFAX Despite a reduced schedule and far fewer passengers, a growing list of possible exposures involving Halifax Transit buses has the driver s union deeply concerned. I would call it a crisis, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508 President Ken Wilson told CTV News Tuesday morning. Monday s exposure list released by Nova Scotia Health included 19 potential exposure routes on buses. Wilson says he s been told there have been four positive case among drivers, with about a hundred others self-isolating, awaiting test results. Transit has reduced service on some routes, but Wilson balks at suggestions it s because of staffing shortages. So, let s be honest, let s say what it is. It s not that they don t want to come to work they can t come to work. Public health is telling them to stay home, get a test, and self-isolate until you get the results.
Stock photoKarolina Grabowska/Pexels
(Correction #2) Potential exposure to COVID-19 at a Department of Community Services office, on various Halifax Transit routes, and on Air Canada and WestJet flights
(Correction) Potential exposure to COVID-19 at a Department of Community Services office, on various Halifax Transit routes, and on Air Canada and WestJet flights
NEWS RELEASE
Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 at a Department of Community Services office, on various Halifax Transit routes, and on Air Canada and WestJet flights. In addition to media releases, all potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-
Halifax Regional Police are investigating after a passenger assaulted a Halifax Transit driver over the weekend.
Police say it happened just before noon Saturday on Desmond Avenue.
According to a tweet from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508 president, Ken Wilson, a protective plastic barrier used to separate drivers from passengers was ripped off during the incident on Route 28.
Police say the passenger got off the bus and left the area. There were no physical injuries to the driver reported at that time, said HRP in an emailed statement.
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Halifax Transit’s third-wave woes
Routes have been limited this week because so many drivers are sick or self-isolating. This week, Halifax Transit buses have been operating at less-than-optimal intervals. Between 20 and 40 routes have had at least one cancelled trip on any given day, some routes more than once. The reason? Transit operators are sick with COVID-19 and isolating due to possible exposure. “I have four positive bus operators right now,” says Ken Wilson, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508. For exposures, the number is somewhere between 40 and 50, but it fluctuates so frequently Wilson can’t keep up. “Because once someone get a negative test, if they weren’t a close contact they can come back to work,” he says. “So the numbers fluctuate five or six here or there. I’ve got three operators today that got negative tests they usually go right back to work either this afternoon or tomorrow.”