Lion Electric’s Electric School Buses Cleared for Return after Inspections
The Lion Electric Company has announced that its fleet of 1,200 school buses could soon be back in service following comprehensive inspections prompted by a recent fire incident in Montreal.
In a statement released over the weekend, Lion Electric stated that the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) has given the green light to their gradual and secure plan to get the buses back on the roads.
Inspections are currently underway throughout the weekend, ensuring that each bus passes all necessary preventive checks before being cleared for service.
It is important to note that the recent fire incident in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce was not related to the battery or propulsion system of the buses. Lion Electric continues to collaborate with Transport Canada to pinpoint the exact cause of the fire.
Despite Lion’s announcement, provincial authorities, school boards, and bus operators have yet to confirm the return of the buses to service.
The Ministry of Transport and Education Minister Sonia LeBel’s office have both emphasized that inspections will continue, with alternative plans available for parents if adjustments are required.
First Student (Transco), a major operator of Lion buses in Quebec, has stated that all affected buses are currently out of service, prioritizing safety above all else and working closely with Lion Electric and Transport Canada to ensure the buses are safe before resuming operations.
The Montreal fire department confirmed that the recent fire did not involve the bus’s battery and all passengers were safely evacuated. Transport Canada is investigating this incident, along with two other fires and a thermal incident involving LionC school buses since late 2024.
Lion Electric, which manufactures electric school buses in Saint-Jérôme, remains dedicated to upholding strict safety standards and collaborative efforts to provide secure transportation for students.
Keyphrase: Lion Electric school buses
