A look under the hood; new Lethbridge Transit vans offer smoother ride & save money

As seven new vans hit the road, residents and transit users will notice a new look to Lethbridge Transit’s fleet.

The smaller vehicles that will service the Ride-on-Demand areas in addition to some Access-a-Ride users are sleeker, more comfortable and cost-effective.

“These new vehicles are cheaper to purchase, maintain and cost less to run due to the increased fuel efficiency,” says Mario Galeana, Transit Asset Manager. “The last time we purchased Access-a-Ride vehicles, which was pre-pandemic, the cost was in the range of $200,000. These new vans were purchased for approximately half of that amount and offer roughly a 50 per cent reduction in maintenance costs too.”

Transit riders will also notice a smoother ride when compared to the traditional Access-a-Ride vehicles with better insulation against noise and temperatures. The vehicles are also smaller and more maneuverable which makes for easier handling for Transit drivers.

“One additional benefit is we have the ability to customize seating in these new vehicles,” adds Galeana. “It means we can adjust the seating configuration to meet demand on routes if needed. If we’re seeing a route that requires more seating and less space for wheelchairs, we can make that change to accommodate more passengers and vice versa.”

Providing a better ride experience while being cost-effective with tax dollars is a direction Transit has been working hard to accomplish.

“These new vehicles will offer an improved experience for everyone from riders to maintenance staff, so we’re excited to see the vans out on the street in the coming weeks,” says Darwin Juell, Transit Acting General Manager.

All seven new vehicles are expected to be operational in July. For more information on Lethbridge Transit Access-a-Ride and Ride-on-Demand zones, click here.

For Public Inquiries:

Call 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Media Contact:
media@lethbridge.ca