Anchorage receives 25 diesel buses for People Mover, AnchorRIDES service

The city of Anchorage, Alaska, took delivery of 25 new buses in late October that will go into service for the city’s People Mover and AnchorRIDES.

The 11 40-foot diesel buses for the People Mover are the first new 40-foot buses to be delivered since 2013. The New Flyer-manufactured vehicles will replace buses that are 24 years old. The city says the new buses will help the city reduce the cost of bus operation and feature a highly efficient engine, improved suspension, enhanced interior finishes and will provide a smoother ride. On the buses interior are stainless steel seat frames that are padded with a silica material to make them easier to sanitize while still offering a padded surface for comfort during warm and cold seasons.

Other features that are consistent with some of the existing fleet include optimized driver visibility, anti-slip flooring, LED screens for next-stop arrival information and heated side mirrors to help melt snow and ice. They are also equipped with an improved camera system for increased security.

“To continue Anchorage's role as a modern and first-class city, we need clean, reliable and efficient transportation options for our citizens. Replacing our aging fleet will keep more buses on the road instead of in the shop, leading to a better delivery of service for riders," said Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson. “With 90 percent of the cost of these new buses covered by federal grant funds, these investments demonstrate we can move our city forward without putting all the burden on property taxpayers."

AnchorRIDES received 14 buses. The 22-foot Ford Transit 350 buses will be the first all-wheel drive (AWD) buses in AnchorRIDES’ history and will allow for greater reliability and improved on-time performance during the winter. Other features include an auto-deploy passenger ramp with a 1,000-pound capacity to increase boarding and lighting efficiency, exterior door and ramp controls to minimize the amount of time the passenger door is open during the colder months and a heated passenger entry to prevent snow and ice build-up at vehicle entrance. They also have a backup camera and a seven-camera surveillance system for improved security.

“We expect these buses to provide a quieter and more comfortable experience for the passengers and drivers. As we aim to be a reliable transportation option for the community, the new buses will keep us on schedule and help prevent canceled trips due to bus breakdowns associated with an aging fleet," said Jamie Acton, Anchorage public transit director.