Vancouver's largest private bus operator goes green
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 11, 2018
BYD (Build Your Dreams) Canada has been awarded an order for zero emission, battery-electric buses by Vancouver's Westcoast Sightseeing, the first Canadian tour company to order clean energy buses, and the first to commit to a 100-percent clean-energy fleet by 2023.
As China's battery and electric vehicle pioneer, BYD has become the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles and batteries, and the overwhelming global leader in battery-electric buses.
As the largest private bus operator in Vancouver, Westcoast Sightseeing has agreed to work exclusively with BYD on converting their entire fleet of 90 buses, including open top buses, double and single-deckers and other vehicles.
It will also work with the city to develop the necessary charging infrastructure that will not only benefit Westcoast but many other companies that want to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and climate impact.
"Our business is built around the natural beauty of our home and we are especially conscious of the impact our day-to-day operations has on the environment," said Rob Safrata, chief executive officer of Westcoast Sightseeing.
"We are proudly working towards a greener and more sustainable future. And adding electric buses and boats is the first step to achieve our goal in 2023 of becoming the first sightseeing firm in Canada with 100% electric vehicles."
The BYD battery-electric buses will make an immediate improvement to air quality and noise levels for British Columbia delivering a predicted reduction in carbon emissions of some 4,500 metric tons per year based on EPA standards.
"CEO Rob Safrata has long held a clean energy vision and we are excited to be working with him," said BYD Canada's Vice President Ted Dowling. "This aligns perfectly with the recent announcement by British Columbia Premier John Horgan for the need to find other ways to reduce emissions."
Investing more than $250 million in North America to date, BYD sold or leased more than 600 buses to more than 50 municipal, transit agency, university, airport, federal and other commercial and private sector clients in 14 American states and four provinces in Canada.
BYD Canada has buses on order or in operation for Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) in Quebec; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in Ontario; and St. Albert (STAT) and Grand Prairie in Alberta.
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