Service set to resume

School bus transportation will return Monday morning for students in the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) and the Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB). Both boards confirmed their Lion bus fleets are now fully cleared after being sidelined for inspections.

Cause of the disruption

The fleets were pulled from service earlier this month after a Lion electric bus caught fire, prompting the manufacturer to recommend fuse replacements across about 1,200 buses in Quebec. The precautionary move grounded both electric and diesel buses.

Steps taken by officials

EMSB chair Joe Ortona announced Sunday that all buses were “repaired, inspected, and ready to roll.” The LBPSB issued a similar statement, emphasizing that all required safety checks had been completed. Both boards thanked families for their patience during the disruption.

Return of daily routes

Beginning Monday, regular school bus routes will be available again to students served by EMSB and LBPSB across the Montreal area. The service restoration applies to both electric and diesel Lion buses.

Focus on safety

First Student, the parent company of Transco—the operator of the bus involved in the fire—said the pace of inspections was slowed by limited access to replacement parts. As of last week, about 30 per cent of the company’s fleet had been repaired, with the remainder undergoing final checks.

Looking ahead

The incident has highlighted both the challenges and the importance of maintaining safety standards in Quebec’s transition toward electric school transportation. Officials have reassured families that all buses returning to service meet the required safety benchmarks.

The post Montreal School Bus Service Resumes Monday After Safety Fix first appeared on Maple News Wire.

City Council Approves Major Shelter Expansion

The City of Surrey has approved a two-phase initiative to install nearly 60 new bus shelters across the city starting this July. With transit ridership rapidly increasing, the move aims to enhance comfort, accessibility, and encourage public transit use among residents.

Project to Begin in July, Targeting High-Ridership Zones

The first phase of the shelter expansion will run from July through September 2024, followed by a second phase from September to December. The shelters will be prioritized for installation at bus stops with 95 or more daily boardings, particularly along busy corridors like 128 Street in Newton and 108 Avenue in the City Centre.

Partnership with Pattison Outdoor Advertising

Under a new 20-year agreement with Pattison Outdoor Advertising, the city can request up to 10 ad-supported shelters annually at no cost. In 2024, Pattison will install 30 shelters in high-traffic areas and manage ongoing maintenance, with advertising revenue expected to offset operating costs.

Funding and Focus on Underserved Areas

To ensure equitable access, city council allocated $950,000 from the Community Works Fund Agreement to support up to 30 additional shelters this year. These will be placed in underserved neighborhoods identified through public input, not solely based on ridership metrics.

Long-Term Transit Infrastructure Vision

Engineering General Manager Scott Neuman emphasized that shelter placements should balance ridership with community needs: “Enhancing weather protection for transit users supports existing riders and attracts new ones.” The plan also includes potential expansion in 2025, contingent on further Community Works funding and public demand.

Strong Community Support

Council’s decision received positive feedback. “Almost 60 covered bus shelters for our city is amazing to hear,” said Councillor Pardeep Kooner. “Many are in heavy-traffic areas where I’ve seen people huddled under umbrellas.”

This initiative marks a key step in Surrey’s broader effort to modernize its transit infrastructure and improve commuter experience city-wide.

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The post Surrey Expands Bus Shelter Network in Two-Phase Plan first appeared on Maple News Wire.