Electrification of transport - The City of Saint-Jérôme adopts free electric shuttle services

MONTRÉAL, June 20, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The City of Saint-Jérôme announces that it will implement a free, continuous electric shuttle services from downtown Saint-Jérôme for CEGEP and university students and the broader population as well.

The announcement was made by Stéphane Maher, the mayor of Saint-Jérôme, and Marc Bédard, president of Lion Bus, at the Lion Bus booth at the EVS29S Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition taking place at the Palais des Congrès in Montréal between June 19 and 22.

"In January 2016, the City of Saint-Jérôme launched a pilot shuttle project to facilitate access to downtown, a project that has largely exceeded our expectations. This project received the Municipal Merit Award in the Municipality and Sustainable Development category given by the Quebec Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy," highlighted the mayor. "Recognized as a pioneer and champion of electric vehicles in Canada, Saint-Jérôme intends to continue to innovate in the electrification of transportation. In the spirit of this direction, selecting a bus powered by electric propulsion to ensure ongoing shuttle services was a logical choice, " said Stéphane Maher.

"For Lion Bus, the only manufacturer of 100% electric Type C school buses (the eLion) in North America, this represents a new application for passenger transport. We are very proud to be working with the City of Saint-Jérôme," confirmed Marc Bédard. "Powered by a TM4 electric motor (subsidiary of Hydro-Québec), with a range of 150 km, the e Lion—built by 150 suppliers based mostly in Quebec—represents an ecologically-responsible investment," he added.

Autobus Brunet, a bus company headquartered in Saint-Jérôme, will be mandated to ensure shuttle services.

About the City of Saint-Jérôme:
Regional and administrative capital of the Laurentians, Saint-Jérôme has been active in the area of transport electrification since 1996, with the inception of the Centre d'expérimentation des véhicules électrique du Québec (CEVEQ), which promoted Saint-Jérôme to the rank of urban laboratory for several pilot projects to evaluate electric vehicles.  More recently, Saint-Jérôme fostered the emergence of the Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI), a pillar of the research infrastructure for the electrification of transportation in Quebec. The IVI is headquartered in Saint-Jérôme, as is Lion Bus, Doppelmayr, etc. The city is also participating in the development of the Electric Circuit by promoting the installation of charging stations on its territory.

About Lion Bus:
Founded in 2008, Lion Bus is a Quebec-based manufacturer of traditional and electric school buses.  The company has 40 employees, and its manufacturing and assembly plant is located in Saint-Jérôme. Sold across North America, since November 2015 the 100% electric Type C school bus (eLion) has been approved and listed by the California Air Resources Board as a 100% electrical vehicle, and is eligible for the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). Many eLion buses are already on Quebec roads.

SOURCE VILLE DE SAINT-JEROME

Véronique Leblanc, Communications, City of Saint-Jérôme, 450 436-1512, ext. 3042, [email protected]; Richard Bélisle, Bélisle Relations Publiques Solutions (BRPS), 514 992-9782, [email protected]