One week of Lion Electric school bus disruptions: 80% now back on Quebec roads

Over the past week, the school transportation system in Quebec has faced significant disruptions due to issues with Lion Electric buses, which have affected numerous school routes across the province.

The Bus Carriers Federation (FTA) told CityNews on Friday that 80 per cent of Lion buses affected by the withdrawal have resumed service.

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 to protect the safety of both passengers and vehicles.

In a statement released late Tuesday afternoon, the FTA said that a full return of school transport service was planned for Friday.

“Some have had problems with parts supply, especially carriers with large Lion fleets,” they explained to CityNews in an email. “Everything will be completed today for a return to normal on Monday.”

First Student (Transco), which operates hundreds of Lion buses across Quebec, reported a steady increase in the number of buses cleared for service on Friday.

This they said is thanks to a coordinated effort involving engineers, technicians, and parts suppliers.

The company told CityNews in an email that while many buses were now operational, no vehicle was returned to service without passing rigorous safety checks.

“This progress reflects the tireless efforts of our maintenance and engineering teams, who are working around the clock to ensure every vehicle meets the highest safety standards,” they said. “To expedite this process, we’ve brought in additional technicians and engineers from across the company.”

“However, our progress remains dependent on the availability of replacement parts,” they added.

By Friday afternoon – they added: “Approximately 30 per cent of our Lion fleet has been inspected and repaired and is ready to return to service. The remaining buses are in various stages of inspection and repair, and we are working diligently to complete this process. The availability of replacement parts has been the primary delay, and we continue to work closely with our suppliers to expedite deliveries.”

Impact on Students and Families

For students and parents, the disruptions have caused inconveniences, like increased traffic around schools during drop-off and pick-up times.

Many school boards across the province, including the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), have been providing daily updates on the status of its Lion buses.

A notice issued by the EMSB last night on their social media accounts confirmed that six more Transco buses had been cleared to resume service.

“On Sunday, the EMSB will share an update on the next vehicles authorized to resume service,” they said.

“Until further notice, we kindly ask that parents make the necessary arrangement to transport their children to and from school,” the EMSB added.

Also explaining that all non-electric buses will continue to operate as usual and will transport EMSB students without interruption.

In the meantime, parents are urged to stay updated on the status of bus services though their school board’s website or social media pages as the province transitions back to regular operations.

—With files from The Canadian Press