Student Transportation of America exploring the deployment of zero-emission buses in Canada
by CM Staff
The organization has submitted a purchase order for 1,000 all-electric LionC school buses, conditioned upon the satisfactory grant of non-repayable contributions to STC.
WALL — Student Transportation of Canada (STC), a subsidiary of Student Transportation of America (STA), a company involved in student transportation, safety, and fleet services, announces that the organization is currently exploring the potential deployment of zero-emission electric school buses in its Canadian markets. The organization has submitted a purchase order for 1,000 all-electric LionC school buses, conditioned upon the satisfactory grant of non-repayable contributions to STC under Infrastructure Canada’s Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF), for which STC has filed a formal application. Under the ZETF program, the Government of Canada aims to invest $2.75 billion over five years to support public transit and school bus operators in their transition to electrification.
“We commend the Government of Canada for helping to foster new and creative solutions in the transportation industry that support a cleaner environment. These grant opportunities enable school bus electrification to become more of a reality for both providers and school boards alike, and the students are truly benefiting from this greener technology. However, we recognize that there is much more work to be done,” said Patrick Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer of Student Transportation of America.
Student Transportation of America Exploring the Deployment of Zero-Emission School Buses in Canada
Although grant funding is not guaranteed, STC will begin discussions with school boards to determine their interest in and the viability of incorporating electric buses into existing fleets. These electric vehicles would replace diesel buses, with deliveries potentially beginning as early as the 2022 school year and continuing through to the first half of 2026.
This investment by STA, whose controlling shareholder is Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), would also contribute to CDPQ’s portfolio decarbonation objectives.
“As the controlling shareholder of Student Transportation, we are delighted to support the company in its green shift, with the deployment of a fleet that would make it the largest operator of zero-emission school busses in North America. Driving the next generation to their place of learning in electric transport is a good illustration of our vision for a more sustainable future. This ambitious program, carried out thanks to Lion, the Quebec leader in electric transport, fits perfectly into our climate strategy, and will directly contribute to our commitment to reduce the carbon intensity of our portfolio by 60% by 2030,” said Emmanuel Jaclot, Executive Vice-President and Head of Infrastructure at CDPQ.
