6 new Mountain Metro buses; signal on back could lead to city 'yield' law
One of the new Mountain Metropolitan Transit
buses is shown.
Courtesy of Mountain Metro
|
Four of the buses will replace aging, high-mileage buses and two buses are additions, bringing the total fixed-route fleet to 45. The buses will be put into service by year-end following a final inspection and licensing, according to a press release from Vicki McCann of Mountain Metro.
The vehicles cost $440,000 each - a cost covered by state and federal grants,
The six new buses have this signal at the rear, to
let motorists know when they need to re-enter traffic. The signage that "it's the
law" is slightly premature, in that City Council needs to pass an ordinance.
Courtesy of Mountain Metro
|
Four of the six will replace older buses, while two of them will be additions, bringing the total fleet number to 45.
McCann also noted two features of the new buses:
- A “Yield to Bus” signal at the rear to provide oncoming motorists a clearer indication of buses needing to re-enter traffic. “Delays in returning to traffic hurt transit on-time performance and result in unproductive time along bus routes,” McCann said. She added that an ordinance making it a requirement to yield to such buses is being proposed to City Council.
- Cleaner operation using “ultra-low” sulfer diesel fuel and advanced engines [resulting in] “near-zero emission that is smoke-free.”
Mountain Metro provides local fixed-route bus service as well as special routes for the disabled in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region.
From a press release
(Posted 12/2/15;
Transportation:
Transit)
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