CANADA
A new Guinness World Record looked likely to be set in Vancouver on 30 August. Operator Traxx Coachlines drove a new MCI J4500 Charge from Kamloops to Vancouver, testing the new zero-emission $1.2m coach’s range and abilities. The trip data was sent to Guinness World Records for verification after the journey. The choice of a long route with plenty of climbing through the mountains was to prove the capabilities of the luxury tour bus, said Traxx CEO and President Matthew Cox.
“Transportation is going through a once in a century fundamental shift. As operators, we have to explore this infrastructure piece.” he told local media site Vancouver Is Awesome.
Although attempting to set a record, Matthew said that the trip was more to prove the concept that trips between Vancouver and the interior are not just theoretical but practical. “That highway is an economic corridor into the interior,” he added.
The 52-seat electric coach’s claimed range is 260 to 375km, and the trip took it to 356km, despite the numerous mountain climbs. “What we’re actually hoping to simulate is intercity travel between mountains and the coast,” he said, adding that Traxx was looking at how to stay at the forefront of electric mobility. The operator runs a scheduled service between Vancouver and Seattle, but the majority of its business is private hire.
“We as a company have been using the pandemic to rethink how we’re doing business, from a social, economic and environmental perspective,” he continued, talking about the shift to alternative technology such as fuel cells, adding: “It’s in its infancy, but it’s a shift Traxx is going to be a part of.”
