March is here and Metro Transit has taken delivery of two rather special new people-movers this month – hybrid-diesel buses.
Along with a number of dignitaries and media representatives, I was privileged to be aboard for the inaugural ride in the downtown area.
We only went around the block but it was enough for me to be impressed with the quietness of these large buses and the facilities they offer the travelling public.
The hybrid technology which drives them is ingenious. The diesel engine charges the huge batteries which, in turn, drive the bus until they run low. At that point, the diesel engine kicks in to power the vehicle, at the same time recharging the batteries until they can take over the task once more.
As well, each time the bus slows or stops, the energy generated by braking is converted into electric power which is stored in the batteries.
Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by as much as 30 per cent, thanks to the fact the diesel engine isn’t constantly running at full power. To put this into perspective, these hybrid buses are built to such stringent emission standards that it would take almost 100 of them to produce the same emissions as just one of our older buses.
The 18-metre buses have five doors and special ramps which emerge and provide a level boarding and alighting platform where necessary. There are also special inside bike racks which provide cyclists with faster boarding.
And more. Not only is all the fabric in the interior made from recycled materials, these blue-hued buses come with an air purification system to eliminate bacteria.
These new buses can carry more than 60 people in quiet comfort and I’m sure they will attract lots of stares on the street. That’s because their massive batteries are located in domes on the roof, giving the vehicles a “humped” appearance.
If you don’t already ride Metro Transit, I hope you’ll make the time to hop aboard one of these beautiful new buses and go for a ride. You just may become a regular user.
Work is underway on Halifax Regional Municipality’s 2010/2011 budget.
Members of staff have presented Council with what’s called “The Fiscal Framework”, an information document to guide us in for our fiscal deliberations.
All being well, we expect to have a draft budget ready for review late April or early May.
Setting the budget is always challenging however, this year’s process is likely to be more so than most. For one thing, today’s economy is still struggling and, for another, we are faced with a $30-million shortfall, much of it due to cost pressures from our expanding transit system, the solid waste operation and wages.
The Fiscal Framework we have received from staff outlines various proposals to balance HRM’s books, including a possible tax increase of 3%-4%. Regional Council considers this to be excessive and has asked staff to explore all other avenues first, before considering such an option.
To learn more about the 2010 Fiscal Framework, please go to www.halifax.ca/budget where you’ll also find details of HRM’s many service expansions since amalgamation.
As we get closer to bringing the Halifax Wastewater Treatment Facility back on-line, I’d like to share with you details of what’s been done to protect as much as possible against a future flooding event.
On January 14, 2009 a local area power failure resulted in wastewater flooding the plant’s lower sections, damaging equipment and knocking the facility out of action.
Crews have been working hard ever since to re-establish treatment capacity and we expect to resume full operations, later this spring. The project’s builder’s risk policy is providing coverage for most of the estimated $11,000,000 reinstatement cost.
Various components in the area that was flooded have now been repaired and junction boxes and sensors have been moved upstairs to street level.
An interlock system has been put in place which will allow staff to use remote control to shut down the two main pumping stations feeding the Halifax plant, should the need arise.
There has been a reconfiguring of the back-up power distribution system along with the various power control panels, plus we have taken delivery of five new raw-water pumps.
The first of the two-stage recommissioning process at the Halifax unit has been completed, resulting in a significant reduction in the discharge of waste into the harbour.
Meanwhile, the Dartmouth and Herring Cove wastewater treatment facilities continue to treat wastewater flows in the commissioning phase.
I’m pleased to report that, overall, the $333 million Harbour Solutions Project remains within budget.
More details can be found at http://halifax.ca/HWWTF/index.html and the Halifax Water website at halifaxwater.ca.
If you have a comment or concern, I’d really like to hear from you. You can reach me here at City Hall at kellyp@halifax.ca or by phoning 490-4010.
And finally, I’d just like to remind you that Earth Hour will be take place Saturday, March 27, at 8:30 p.m.
Earth Hour began three years ago in Sydney, Australia, and has caught the imagination of ordinary people everywhere as a simple-yet-effective way to show support for action on global warming.
By flicking off all non-essential lights for 60 minutes that particular evening, residents of HRM and millions more people around the world want to spur world leaders to come to an agreement on climate change.
The World Wildlife Fund co-founded Earth Hour and will put on a special event in the Grand Parade that evening, starting at 7:30 p.m. Among those appearing will be ECMA award winning acts, Sons of Maxwell and Dave Gunning.
I hope you can join me there.
Respectfully, I remain,
Peter J. Kelly |
