A request for an independent investigation into a recent bus explosion in northeast Calgary has been made by the local councillor a week after the tragic incident. The collision on October 15, involving two city transit buses and multiple vehicles in Saddle Ridge, resulted in an explosion on a natural gas-powered bus, leading to three fatalities and 16 injuries.
Authorities from the Calgary Fire Department and Calgary Police Service have disclosed that an investigation into the fire’s cause is in its initial stages, with Transport Canada providing assistance. Coun. Raj Dhaliwal has described the crash as a “freak accident” and expressed the need for an independent investigation separate from the ongoing fire and police inquiries.
Emphasizing the importance of an external review devoid of biases, Dhaliwal advocated for a comprehensive examination similar to the one conducted following two Bearspaw feeder main ruptures. He stressed the significance of considering transit-specific factors and the design of the collision site intersection in the investigation.
Addressing concerns raised about the safety of Calgary Transit’s compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, experts have reassured the public that incidents like the recent explosion are rare. While CNG buses differ from diesel-powered counterparts, they are subjected to stringent testing and maintenance protocols to ensure their safety.
Gordon McTaggart-Cowen, a professor at Simon Fraser University, highlighted the design and testing standards that CNG engines adhere to, emphasizing their capability to withstand fire. He explained the differences between CNG and diesel engines, noting that CNG engines require a spark plug for ignition, unlike diesel engines that compress air.
Josipa Petrunic, CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium, mentioned that CNG buses are a well-established technology in Canada, chosen for their cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits compared to diesel. The robust engineering of CNG tanks, designed to prevent catastrophic events, undergoes rigorous testing procedures to ensure safety.
Calgary Transit has committed to cooperating with investigators and evaluating its CNG operations for enhanced safety measures. Petrunic emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue to address safety concerns and implement potential improvements in the future, aiming for even safer standards to prevent similar incidents.
