A week after the cry from the heart of a carrier who feared out loud that the bankruptcy of Lion would make it difficult to repair its 75 electric buses, the Federation of Bus Transporters (FTA) is launching an alarm signal, in skinning Quebec in the process.
• Also read: Lion’s difficulties: he worries about his 75 school buses
• Also read: It’s official: Lion Électrique protects itself from its creditors
“We remember that it was the government of Quebec which imposed, on school transporters in 2021, the exclusive purchase of electric school buses,” criticized the organization in a press release on Wednesday, shooting an arrow at the government.
“The lifespan of school buses is 12 years and student service could be jeopardized in the event that carriers no longer have buses available,” we denounce.
Thursday morning, Lion Électrique announced that it had requested an order from the Superior Court of Quebec to protect itself against its creditors. Among carriers, the news had the effect of a real electric shock.
More than 1300 buses
More than 1,300 Lion electric buses are on our roads and carriers are now worried about their maintenance, repair and multiple warranties.
Panicked, the Federation of Bus Transporters (FTA) believes that Quebec will have to offer “other alternatives for the acquisition of electric buses and that the assistance program for the acquisition of buses (PETS) be increased substantially”.
In recent weeks, The Journal spoke to many carriers caught in this whirlwind who did not want to be identified, while the financial health of the manufacturer was under attack.
Stéphane Boisvert, president of Autobus Groupe Séguin, which has 75 Lion Électrique buses, spoke publicly to denounce the situation.
-With the collaboration of Sylvain Larocque
