A new Dial-a-Bus is coming next year

By Serena Lapointe

Whitecourt’s Dial-a-Bus service will get a revamp next year as the ten-year lifecycle of the
current bus comes to an end. However, the process of getting a new paratransit vehicle can be
lengthy, which is why the conversation started earlier this year with the Town of Whitecourt
putting out a call for bids from bus dealerships, seeking the best price for a new unit.
During last week’s Regular Meeting of Whitecourt Town Council, Drew Hadfield, Director of
Infrastructure Services, presented the bids and walked the elected officials through the
recommendation from his team. One company responded to the bid request, Crestline Coach
Ltd, providing two options to the Town. The first was a 2026 Arboc Spirit of Freedom on a
Chevrolet G4500 chassis for $264,453.15 plus tax. The second was a 2026 Star Trans Senator
II, also on the Chevy G4500 chassis, with a pre-tax price of just under $200,000.
“The two units, one is a rear lift, and the other has a front lift with a lower floor. Our
staff had the opportunity to go and view a similar unit in Grande Prairie and came back with the
recommendation to look at a little bit of a different floor configuration for the unit,” explained
Hadfield. The Star Trans Senator is the rear lift of the two. It was mentioned in the agenda
package that, based on previous experience with a similar lift, the administration anticipated
issues would creep up, including increased maintenance needs and potentially mechanical
concerns, should they stick with a rear lift option.
The decision to switch the chassis from a Chevrolet G4500 to a Ford E450 opened up
space inside the bus, allowing for more people at once. “It would allow for three wheelchair
placements as well as twelve passengers, with the wheelchairs in place, which provides a better
service for our community,” said Hadfield.
The changed configuration increased the cost, but also the service to customers. The Arboc
Spirit of Freedom on a Ford E450 chassis cost $288,989.77 plus tax. The agenda package
stated that, though the other two configurations were lower in cost in the short term, the long-
term costs might have been higher. “While the Star Trans Senator II offers a lower initial cost, its
rear lift design presents a higher risk of mechanical failures, which could lead to increased
downtime and maintenance expenses, ultimately negating the initial cost savings. The Arboc

Spirit of Freedom, despite its higher upfront cost, is considered a more sustainable and reliable
investment for the Town’s para transit services,” read the agenda.
Deputy Mayor Derek Schlosser asked what the Town currently has for seating on the bus.
Hadfield said that though the current bus holds four wheelchairs, instead of three, getting on
and off the bus is trickier. “Currently, we have a rear lift unit, and that’s been troublesome with
dealing with the ramp,” he explained. The goal of the replacement chosen is to be reliable and
accessible for residents who use it, ensuring it meets the needs of the community, is user-
friendly and “ensures long-term operational efficiency,” stated the agenda.
Councillor Braden Lanctot asked if the recommended model would be a better fit for winter use
over the current unit. “Is this a pretty big upgrade from that?” Hadfield said yes. “Because it’s a

low-floor unit, it will provide us with easier access to bus stops. This provides better service
because we can actually lower the bus and the ramp extends, allowing better access for
customers to get on and off the bus,” responded Hadfield.
Although no bus images were provided at the meeting, pictures from Arboc’s website
(www.arbocsv.com) give an example of the Ford chassis Arboc model (pictured), stating that
the
low-floor has spring suspension and “provides a 39” entranceway featuring a bi-fold ramp with a
gentle slope that is easy to ascend independently, even for those using mobility devices.”
Whitecourt Town Council members voted unanimously to approve the purchase. The new bus
will arrive and will be put into service sometime next year.