Langford’s signature rubber-wheeled trolley buses — mothballed since 2017 but occasionally trotted out for parades and special events — aren’t going anywhere. At least for now.
Langford council has decided to hold on to the aging diesel buses, despite a staff report this week suggesting they should be sold to save on maintenance and insurance costs.
“I do think they are iconic and a unique asset to Langford … they have become a symbol for our city,” said Coun. Mary Wagner. “I think it makes sense to take a pause and look at our arts, culture, tourism and heritage strategy before we get rid of an asset that’s pretty cool.”
Other councillors agreed, saying the trolleys could be retrofitted for better accessibility or used as “static displays” for shade and resting areas at markets and parks, or even be converted to food trucks.
The trolleys were a regular sight around Langford for more than a decade starting in 2007, logging thousands of miles as a free service that helped to cover routes not offered by B.C. Transit at the time.
The trolleys looped through Langford with stops at recreation and retail centres such as City Centre Park, Westshore Town Centre, Goldstream, Langford Town Centre, Millstream Village and Costco.
During their peak year in 2015, the unique buses carried 43,550 passengers.
But the three buses — purchased between 2007 and 2013 for about $80,000 each — started to wear out and increasing repair costs eventually scuttled the service. Costs to operate the free service rose to more than $220,000 a year, while donations, advertising and rentals barely covered 10% of that.
Since then, the red and green buses have been gathering dust in a garage on Happy Valley Road, rolling out only for the Canada Day and Christmas parades. Only one of the three trolleys actually runs, although another could be fixed. The third is strictly for spare parts, according to the staff report.
For the past five years, the city has averaged $6,000 in annual maintenance costs and $5,000 in annual insurance costs for all three trolleys.
What’s more, only one city staff member has the appropriate driver’s licence to drive the trolleys to be serviced. The last time a trolley was used, for the Christmas parade, a driver had to be hired at a cost of $800.
Coun. Kimberly Guiry was the only vote against keeping the trolleys, citing concerns about their accessibility. “I would rather move forward with something that was accessible to all Langford residents,” she said.
Staff said only one of the trolleys — the newest, a 2009 model — could be made accessible by repairing the passenger lift at an estimated cost of $60,000. The repair, however, is not economical based on the current value of the trolley.
The staff report, which recommended selling the trolleys as a group in an online auction, also noted that at least one local municipality has approached the city about buying the buses. The report did not reveal the interested party.
Coun. Lillian Szpak said retaining the buses would be prudent as the trolleys became a symbol with their own sign posts and branding. “I think it’s a real opportunity for our community to step up and use their skill and volunteerism,” she said. “I hate to say goodbye to something we cherish so much. People are emotionally connected to it.”
Mayor Scott Goodmanson noted the trolleys are unique in the Capital Regional District “so there is value” in keeping them to either repurpose or retrofit.
Coun. Keith Yacucha and Coun. Mark Morley agreed with two residents who said the trolleys would be great static attractions at Station Avenue, which has a burgeoning weekend market but little shade.
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