Community Transit is nearly doubling its fleet of double-decker buses in one $22.2 million swoop. The high-capacity buses could be in service by the end of summer, in time for the heavy fall commuting season.
Community Transit has one new “Double Tall” in hand and expects delivery of 21 more within a month. The delivery will bring its double-decker fleet to 45. All 23 of Community Transit’s current double-decker buses are in service on heavily used I-5 routes.
Most of the new buses will replace smaller articulated buses.
Five of the double-deckers are additions to the overall fleet, although it’s unclear yet where they’ll be put into service.
Once in hand, it takes up to two months to outfit each bus with GPS, the ORCA fare system and other transit tech.
Double-decker buses have 77 seats plus a larger area for standing passengers. Existing double-deckers often have more than 100 passengers on a peak trip.
By contrast, a typical articulated bus has seats for 60 and carries up to 80 passengers with standing room.
Each of the larger buses costs nearly $1 million, compared to $600,000 to $700,000 for a more standard bus.
In addition to greater capacity, the double-deckers get better fuel economy, Community Transit spokesman Martin Munguia said.
The bulk of the purchase was approved in 2013.
A nearly $4 million state regional mobility grant and more than $10.6 million in various federal grants covered most of the cost. Community Transit paid more than $2.6 million in required matching funds, and covered the full cost of the five expansion buses, which came to nearly $5 million.
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