ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Posted on 01/15/2016 | About James Bay, British Columbia

Canada’s first purpose built electric bus will go into service this spring, and it is tagged for cruise ship passengers arriving at Ogden Point in James Bay. With 228 ships expected during the season (03 April to 28 October) locals are sensitive to the noise, emissions and traffic bottlenecks that take place afternoons and weekends when cruise ships arrive and passengers set out on excursions.

“The objective here is to mitigate the impact, as much as possible, upon the neighbourhood in which we connect through to Ogden Point,” said Ian Robertson, president and CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. “The challenge” said Robertson “is finding that economic, social and environmental balance that fits.” CVS Cruise Victoria will lease an 88 seat double decker bus for one year, with the option to extend the lease to three and buy it for US $1.2 million, company spokesman David Roberts announced.

They will do a cost/benefit analysis to determine if the price to keep it on the road is substantiated by the reduced impact in the community. “We need to know all the costs versus what we already spend,” Robertson said. “If this is successful, our goal is to modernize our fleet in an environmentally sensitive way. Because this is the first experiment of its kind in Canada, we really need to put it through its paces.” The sightseeing tour company has a fleet of 15 buses in service, all powered by biodiesel.

Robertson discussed other ways to make visits from cruise passengers less impactful on the environment, pointing out that people should learn upon disembarking that the downtown area is within walking distance. He suggested that this information be posted on cruise line websites and at information sessions for visitors not taking tours. It is hoped that the number of people who walk from the port, rather than take a bus will surpass the 100,000 who do so presently. Robertson noted that bus companies have been charged $2.05/passenger when they do a pick up at the terminal. Starting this year that fee will be waived for buses that were built since 2005. The charge will go to $3 for buses 2004 and older.