The future of mass transportation is coming and PEI is once again leading the way. One of the industries pioneering that ’charge’ is transportation. Motor Coach Industries (MCI) and Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus, owned by local entrepreneur, Mike Cassidy are leading the country into the future by purchasing environmentally sustainable transportation for the masses.
Mike and MCI will be partnering to bring affordable, environmentally friendly transportation to P.E.I. So, once again our little province is leading the way in Canada with Mike advocating for electric buses and alternative fuel research. In fact, Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus received the MCI-sponsored 2020 Leadership in Environmental Sustainability Award.
Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus of the Cassidy Group is one of Canada’s most diversified bus company, providing services for group charters, cruise ship arrivals, multi-day tours, daily inter-city line runs, municipal transit schedules, and school bus contracts.
With close to 450 employees and more than 275 buses on the roads, Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus is proud to be a leader in advancing discussions for battery-electric vehicles, fostering industry safety practices and regulations, and promoting advanced transportation technologies.
The world is demanding that all companies and industries make advancements towards developing environmentally sustainable products. But, will they work? Cassidy said the 35-foot bus is rated to go 250 up to 300 kilometres on a full charge, which is well within the range to cover each route his buses travel in a day.
“It is a fact that we are experiencing environmental issues, whether it is water concerns, air quality, or climate change, and we all should be doing whatever we can to leave a sustainable world for our children and grandchildren,” said Cassidy. This move is the first of its kind in Canada and the busses will make their debut in Charlottetown March 9 to 11.
Some people are saying this is just a fad. But many said bicycles, talking pictures (movies), and laptop computers (I was at IBM then) were just fads. Even the president of IBM at that time said that laptop computing will never be a serious business product. I could go on.
Now it is mass transportation. We are in a time of significant metamorphosis and I believe, electric transportation is here to stay. According to Gina Coplon-Newfield and Conner Smith, Sierra Club, estimates indicate that electric buses will reach subsidy-free, purchase-price parity with diesel buses by 2030 at the latest.
Increasing fuel prices, efficiency in manufacturing, and declining battery costs will all drive down the upfront cost.
“Electrification of buses is a welcome addition to the Island’s strategy to mitigate climate change. Right now, transportation accounts for approximately 45% of our global warming emissions and it is likely to get worse," said Phil Ferraro from the Institute for Bioregional Studies Ltd. in P.E.I.
A recent presentation coming out of the UPEI Climate Research Lab revealed that there are almost as many cars (over 122,000) as residents on P.E.I. Consequently, any efforts to improve public transportation with clean fuel technology will improve the lives of everyone.
As the demand for electricity grows, we will need policies and practices in place to ensure that the source of electricity comes from clean, decentralized, and renewable sources. Depending on the “cleanliness” of the electric grid into which they're plugged, e-buses will be much better for the environment.
Coach Atlantic is leading the way in this important transformation in Canada. My question for managers: What are you doing to encourage your organization to shift towards becoming a more environmentally sustainable company?
Joe Sherren is an international business transformation specialist. For more information, check out his website at gatewayleadership.com.
