The Abbotsford School District is getting some new wheels.
Abbotsford will receive two 84-passenger buses and one 72-passenger model to replace three older vehicles, according to the district.
The existing buses all carry 72 passengers and are between 13 and 16 years old – near the end of their lifecycle.
School district communications manager Dave Stephen said increased ridership in certain areas of the city demands larger buses.
“There is an apparent reduction in the number of children being driven to school by parents/guardians which has resulted in some increase in demand for seats on district buses,” Stephen said in a press release.
To accommodate the demand, the district’s transportation department has reorganized its buses. The cost of the new buses is $409,058, with delivery set for spring.
The Ministry of Education assumed the full cost of the new buses.