Electric school buses acquired at a cost of $ 9 million will operate within three years in the regions of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and Beauharnois following an agreement between the companies Girardin and Autobus Venise.
During the announcement of the supply of 26 electric school buses for the Beauharnois and Salaberry-de-Valleyfield regions, we found Michel Daneault, Vice-President Sales and Service Eastern Canada at Girardin, Manon Blanchard of Autobus Venise, and Michel Labrie, Sales Manager, Girardin. (Photo library)
These new vehicles will be going up and down the roads of the Suroît along bodies of water and urban roads to serve the clientele of the Commissions scolaires de la Vallée-des-Tisserands, des Trois-Lacs et New Frontiers.
The buses will be delivered in two stages, starting with 18 Blue Bird Type C electric school buses capable of carrying 72 passengers, and three Micro Bird Type A electric school minibuses with a capacity of 30 passengers each. The first deliveries are scheduled before the end of the current school year, allowing a second deployment at the start of the 2022 school year.
“These electric buses will be equipped with the safety equipment that makes the Blue Bird and Micro Bird brands reputable and sustainable. The pedestrian alert on the buses will announce the approach of the vehicle in the schoolyard, which is essential for safety given that electric vehicles are known to be very quiet. Touchscreen and regeneration during braking are other technologies offered by Girardin”, said the management of the Quebec company in a press release.
“Once the electric buses are delivered, the cities served in the Beauharnois and Salaberry-de-Valleyfield regions will be relieved of 600 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year, a considerable reduction thanks to the initiative of Autobus Venise and of its leadership in the electrification of school transportation”, says the company.
The Plan for a Green Economy, which oversees the financial assistance program to accelerate the electrification of school transportation, provides carriers with a budget of $ 250.7 million to facilitate the transition. The program aims to transition 65% of school buses in Quebec to electric by 2030.
“It is with great pride that we approach this transition to the electric school bus, which will eliminate greenhouse gases while providing reliable and safe transportation to children”,
said Manon Blanchard, Director of the “Autobus Venise” company.
“The electrification of school transportion in Quebec must be a priority and Girardin is delighted to be able to support Autobus Venise in this important transition thanks to our proven expertise”, added Michel Daneault, vice-president of sales and services for Eastern Canada at Girardin in Drummondville.
Girardin and its partners Blue Bird, with Cummins PowerDrive, as well as Micro Bird with the Ecotuned Technologies system, offers a range of Type A, C and D electric school buses which are 100% electric including heating, allowing an additional reduction of greenhouse gases.
