Quebec begins the transition towards electric public transport

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification and Francine Charbonneau, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying and the Laval Region have together announced that the Société de transport de Laval (STL) will procure 10 fully electric, 40-foot long buses with the intention of establishing its first line of entirely electric buses by the year 2020.   

In total, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec will provide more than $9.6 million in financial support under the federal Gas Tax Fund and Quebec’s contribution.

“I am pleased to see that the Société de transport de Laval will be using the funding allotted to them under the federal Gas Tax Fund to purchase electric buses, which will ensure a cleaner and greener future for Laval,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “Investing in public transport infrastructure plays an important role in developing our communities and supports growth that benefits everyone. Through projects like this one, the Government of Canada is helping communities improve residents’ mobility and meet growing demand for public transport.”

Through the ‘Investing in Canada’ infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transport projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation routes and Canada’s rural and northern communities. To support public transport projects $28.7 billion will be available, including a $5 billion investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

“This announcement will help support transport authorities transitioning to fully electric public transport systems. Residents of Laval will benefit from modern transportation infrastructure, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and heat islands and respond to the needs of future generations,” said Francine Charbonneau, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying and the Laval Region.

The federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) provides more than $2 billion each year to Canadian municipalities, which represents a long-term, ongoing, predictable and indexed source of funding.

David De Cotis, President of the Société de transport de Laval, said: “The STL is taking a significant step toward creating its electric bus fleet by awarding the most important contract in Canada for the procurement of electric buses. A leader in electric transport since 2012, the STL is committed to keeping this momentum. By 2023, the STL will only purchase electric buses.”