Canada draws inspiration from Europe - Keolis Canada and NAVYA join forces to implement public transport using autonomous electric shuttles in Canada

MONTREAL, Dec. 14, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The NAVLY project, currently in a one-year test phase in the Confluence eco-district of Lyon, is a major and promising advance for the transport industry. In September 2016 in Lyon, the Keolis Group and NAVYA jointly launched the world's first public transport service using autonomous electric shuttles. For both companies, electric vehicles represent the future of public transit. NAVYA and Keolis Canada, the Canadian division of Keolis, view Ontario as fertile ground for the development of new solutions and are collaborating to bring a similar project to the province in the near future. Steps are already being taken with key Ontario decision-makers to launch a test here of this new autonomous electric vehicle.

Because the two partners share the same vision, Keolis Canada will be the privileged local private operator for NAVYA projects under development in Canada. "As a passenger transporter, we feel we must do our part to help protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ontario and Canada can gain inspiration from projects like NAVLY and demonstrate their leadership, while forging the path towards environmental innovation and smart mobility. That's the direction we're taking," stated Patrick Gilloux, President and Chief Operating Officer of Keolis Canada.

Christophe Sapet, President of NAVYA, said: "Since our 30 million euro financing round in October, NAVYA has been in a major international development phase. We are very pleased today to be pursuing our growth in Canada with Keolis Canada, with whom we're hoping for the same level of success that we've had with Keolis France on the NAVLY project in Lyon. Our objective is to be in a position to propose our smart, autonomous mobility solution by January 2017 to the communities and private sites that can most benefit from it."

Promoting a sustainable, environmental approach
In their respective sectors, Keolis Canada and NAVYA, shares of which are held by Groupe Keolis, are collaborating closely with many communities and proposing practical, sustainable solutions. Together the firms are evaluating a number of possibilities in Canada. In Quebec alone in recent months, Keolis has tested a new electric vehicle in the Les Moulins RCM, introduced electric school buses in the Repentigny region, and announced a partnership with Taxelco, owner of Téo Taxi environmentally-friendly electric taxis. For its part, NAVYA is pursuing its development by becoming involved in a range of smart mobility projects around the world. The company is currently very active in Canada.

About NAVYA
Founded in 2014, NAVYA is a French company specializing in developing innovative, smart and sustainable mobility solutions. NAVYA develops driverless automated electric vehicles that are independent of all infrastructure. These vehicles are a smart means of transporting passengers and goods.

In October 2015, NAVYA launched the NAVYA ARMA, a 100% autonomous, driverless and electric shuttle which can transport up to 15 people and which is now operating on different sites: private sites and public roads.

The vehicle is equipped with numerous sensors and an on-board computing system that enables it to interact with its surroundings. NAVYA benefits from major advances in technology in the autonomous, electric vehicle sector thanks to its experience in the field and a highly qualified R&D team. Christophe Sapet, its CEO, is supported by a team of 70 people divided up between Lyon and Paris.

In October 2016, NAVYA shareholders unanimously approved a 30 million euro round of financing. French groups VALEO and KEOLIS as well as the Qatari GROUP8 acquired a stake in the company alongside GRAVITATION and CAPDECISIF MANAGEMENT, who joined in 2015, and ROBOLUTION CAPITAL, the original investor. www.navya.tech

About Keolis Canada
Keolis Canada, a Franco-Quebec company, specializes in passenger transportation in Quebec. Experts in intercity, urban, school, accessible, airport, charter and light rail transportation services, Keolis Canada offers safe and reliable high quality service thanks to a team of over 900 experienced employees. Keolis Canada operates a fleet of 396 vehicles. Every year, Keolis Canada transports almost 1 million passengers and over 1 million packages. Keolis Canada is part of the French firm Keolis Group.

The Keolis Group develops customized mobility solutions adapted to the changing needs of passengers and to the requirements of the communities that it serves. A leader in urban transportation in France, Keolis is a major player in the public transportation of passengers in Europe and around the world. The Keolis Group is owned by SNCF (70%) and Caisse de dépôt et placements du Québec (30%).

SOURCE Keolis Canada

Source : Marie Hélène Cloutier, Vice-President, Passenger Experience, Marketing & Sales, Keolis Canada Inc.; Information (media only) : Raphaëlle Cyr-Lelièvre, Senior Consultant, Hill+Knowlton Stratégies, Telephone: [phone], Cell: 418 580-0040, Email: [email protected]; NAVYA media contact : Shelley Gore, Agence Esprit Des Sens, Telephone: [phone], Cell: [phone], Email: [email protected], Photos and videos: http://navya.tech/?lang=en