DRT looking to procure specialized buses

By Chris Jones/The Oshawa Express

The region and Durham Region Transit are looking to finalize an agreement to procure specialized services to make transit available to more residents.

A proposal for more para-transit buses has been recommended for approval by the region’s finance and administration committee, as well as the commissioner of finance Nancy Taylor.

It was also recommended Taylor be given the power to execute agreements to purchase several seven-metre and eight-metre low floor para-transit buses.

Both purchases are subject to the approval of 2019 capital budgets.

A request for proposal from Metrolinx for the buses was made in July 2018 and closed in October.

During this time the region received two proposals, one from Crestline Coach and the other from Creative Carriage. Ultimately the latter won out, and is waiting on the region to begin working on the buses.

Taylor writes the agreement with Creative Carriage has a one-year term which began in November of last year. There’s also the option for two one-year extensions.

The base price of the low floor buses is approximately $158,255.

The base price with Overland Custom Watch, who Metrolinx had an agreement with previously, was $111,003 for high floor buses.

Taylor notes switching to low floor buses for specialized services will provide non-discriminatory accessible entrances.

She believes this will allow customers of all mobility capabilities more freedom and ease while they board specialized services vehicles.

Each transit agency using low-floor buses will be provided with the opportunity to outfit their buses with specialized features, options and configurations.

The financing of the bus purchases will be decided with the 2019 budget, and is subject to approval from the transit executive committee, the finance and administration committee, and council.

When a purchase agreement with Creative Carriage has been made, DRT will place an order for the number of buses approved in the 2019 budget.