A majority of Lion electric buses will be back on the roads on Wednesday
Posted September 16, 2025 10:19 pm.
Last Updated September 17, 2025 2:42 pm.
The Bus Carriers Federation (FTA) estimates that approximately 75 per cent of Lion buses will return to service on Quebec roads on Wednesday.
In a statement released late Tuesday afternoon, the FTA stated that a full return of school transport service is now planned for Friday.
Some 1,200 Lion electric school buses were taken off the road after one caught fire last week and carriers were ordered not to put them back on the road to protect the safety of both passengers and vehicles.
“Our carriers are working hard to complete the necessary checks and corrections to enable the safe and rapid return of buses as soon as possible,” said FTA President and CEO Chantale Douglas.
At the same time, the FTA explained that it wanted to meet with the Minister of Education, Sonia LeBel, to discuss the series of decisions that impact carriers that have made the electric shift imposed by the government.
“It is urgent to engage in a frank discussion with the ministries concerned with the electrification of school transportation. Hundreds of organizations, located throughout Quebec and being true economic drivers of our province, have for too long suffered the financial repercussions of a poorly planned, even irresponsible deployment strategy on the part of the government,” stated Dugas, in the same press release.
The Federation is particularly criticizing Quebec for having reduced its financial assistance, which was $12,900 per bus, to $5,000, reported The Canadian Press earlier this week.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
