It is another first for the City of Saint John.
On Monday, the city and Damera Bus Corp announced the introduction of the Karsan e-JEST, which is the first electric, low entrance, 20-foot transit bus in North America.
Saint John is one of several municipalities across Canada working with Damera to incorporate the JEST as they advance their fleets’ electrification.
“We’ve talked to a lot of transit agencies and they are all in the process of doing this type of a change, but Saint John was the first to come to the table,” said Roger D’Hollander, COO, Damera.
D’Hollander mentioned the size and quiet operation of the JEST is perfectly suited for residential areas and on-demand services.
“You certainly see a lot of big 40-foot buses driving around suburban areas with one or two people in it, we call those ‘air buses’ because they are moving air from the suburbs to the city, but these buses are small, they really fit into that environment really well, so if they were to replace one of those 40-foot buses it’s saving about 80,000 kilograms of CO2 per year.”
The JEST is quite popular in European countries with over 500 across the continent.
“In countries like Germany, France, Italy, Romania, and Portugal, it’s over 50 per cent of the market share in Europe right now, so it’s a very popular bus,” continued D’Hollander.
The JEST bus can hold up to 22 passengers, 12 seated, and up to 10 others standing.
It will be part of Saint John’s transition to an emission-free future with a goal to run all transit buses on electricity by 2040.
“We actually came across the JEST through our decarbonization plan, and through that plan we’re looking at ways reduce emissions through our bus system, and one of the ways we look at it is through smaller buses,” Ian Fogan, director of transit and fleet for Saint John.
Fogan mentioned the first 20-foot JEST will be in Saint John over the summer for demonstration and education purposes, but then be officially added to the transit fleet later on in the season.
“As we will be receiving six buses of this size in August,” added Fogan.
The six buses will then go into service in September as part of the city’s Transforming Transit Program.
“With the plan in place, customers will enjoy the luxury of riding new, electric buses, and also have a highly reliable service that allows them to schedule the arrival of their bus and know when it will deliver them to their destination. It’s a big win for everyone and enhances the ease and quality of life our residents enjoy,” said Nick Cameron, Chair of the Saint John Transit Commission in a release.
The JEST has 15-year life cycle, it is equipped with a BMW power train providing an emission-free range of 210 km, and has a regenerative braking system that provides energy recovery by allowing itself to recharge its batteries at a rate of 25 per cent.
An announcement is set at Long Wharf. Damera Bus Corp, @cityofsaintjohn, introduce the JEST. The first electric, low entrance, six metre transit bus in North America. pic.twitter.com/4Zg3KjFva1
— Tim Herd (@timherdradio) June 20, 2022
