Sherbrooke — Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant, and Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, announce an investment of $21,445,679 to modernize the Société de transport de Sherbrooke (STS) and electrify its vehicles. The governments of Quebec and Canada are investing $12,482,553 and $8,963,126 respectively.
For the occasion, the ministers were accompanied by Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, MNA Élisabeth Brière, MNA for Saint-François Geneviève Hébert, MNA for Richmond André Bachand, Sherbrooke Mayor Évelyne Beaudin and STS President Laure Letarte-Lavoie. The projects funded will benefit the community by providing residents with a modern, efficient public transit network.
Firstly, more than $18.6 million will support the electrification of the STS operations centre. This sum also covers the expansion of the main building, the installation of a new electric entrance, and the acquisition and commissioning of charging stations for the 40 future 100% electric buses. These vehicles come from the contract announced on May 8, 2023 for the acquisition of 1229 electric city buses from Nova Bus.
In addition, $2.8 million is being invested to improve the customer experience. More specifically, boarding will be made easier and faster thanks to 140 new validators capable of accepting payment by credit card and QR code, which will be installed on the front and rear of all vehicles. The STS will also acquire 120 validators for paratransit to replace its token payment system and simplify fare management. Finally, passengers will be able to use Wi-Fi on board buses thanks to the acquisition and installation of a 5G/LTE modem communication system.
These projects will improve the capacity, quality and safety of the City of Sherbrooke’s existing public transit network, while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus combat climate change. This investment in public transit will help make this community more inclusive and enhances the quality of life for users of these services by making it easier for them to get around.
“When we invest in public transit, we’re not only fighting climate change, we’re also investing in the well-being of local residents. Like the people of Sherbrooke, who will soon have access to a more modern, reliable and efficient bus service. We continue to deliver for Quebecers through investments that will make a real difference to their everyday lives.” – Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant, on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities