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VIU catches a bus

B.C. Transit donates bus to university's mechanic program.

The wheels on a bus go ’round and ’round, but eventually must come to a stop.

And when most B.C. transit buses make that final run, drop off that last passenger, they generally are destined for the shredder.

But bus No. 8928 is going to continue serving the public, this time as a learning tool.

The 1988 MCI Classic went into service at B.C. Transit in January 1989, spending most of its 23 years on the road in Victoria, putting in 15 to 18 hour work days and travelling more than 1.2 million kilometres.

It was later relegated to transit’s contingency fleet, providing temporary service when needed.

It retires on Wednesday  (May 23) to become a vital learning tool for Vancouver Island University students who want to pursue a career as a commercial transportation mechanic.

B.C. transit is donating the bus to the school’s heavy duty/commercial transport mechanics program.

Fred MacDonald, dean of trades and applied technology at VIU, said the donation gives the program the opportunity to provide a richer, more meaningful learning experience for its students.

“We are always looking for opportunities to promote our industry,” said Manuel Achadinha, president and CEO of B.C. Transit. “We are proud to partner with Vancouver Island University and their commercial transport mechanics program, which is critical for producing skilled individuals to complement the industry.”