Quebec pushes back deadline to electrify public buses

Quebec is pushing back the deadline to electrify all public transit bus fleets. It said its previous target was too ambitious.

Quebec is pushing back its deadline for public transit agencies to shift to an all-electric buses and is bringing back subsidies for hybrid buses.

Transport Minister Jonathan Julien said Monday that the goal of making 55 per cent of all commuter buses electric by 2030 was “too ambitious.”

Last year, the Quebec Urban Transit Association (ATUQ) questioned the government’s electrification strategy, citing “a gap between the objectives set and the actual capacity for deployment.”

There were also concerns that the quality and reliability of services to the public would be affected

The government has yet to set a new target date for electrification.

Julien said he wants Quebec to “remain a leader in the electrification of transportation,” but must be realistic when it comes to supply chains, the cost of infrastructure and “the context with our southern neighbour.”

In the meantime, it will restore subsidies for public transit agencies looking to buy electric or hybrid buses.

But not everyone is on board.

Québec Solidaire critic Étienne Grandmont said while buying electric buses sounds good, it’s a large expense without much benefit.

“It’s a false good idea. I don’t know why they had this idea because the greenhouse gas emissions produced by public transit all over Quebec is less than one percent. So, it’s a lot of money,” he said.

Julien said the goal is to make it easier to replace buses needing to be pulled off the road.

Montreal’s public transit agency (STM) welcomed the news and urged the government to move quickly as it needs to secure vehicle deliveries as early as 2028.

According to the STM, 40 per cent of its buses will be 16 years or older as of next year.

With files from Noovo Info