Keolis and NAVYA to Implement Public Transport Service Using Autonomous Electric Shuttles in Canada
MONTREAL, Dec. 14, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ – The NAVLY project, currently in a one-year test phase in the Confluence eco-district of Lyon, is a major and promising advance for the transport industry. In September 2016 in Lyon, the Keolis Group and NAVYA jointly launched the world’s first public transport service using autonomous electric shuttles. For both companies, electric vehicles represent the future of public transit. NAVYA and Keolis Canada, the Canadian division of Keolis, view Ontario as fertile ground for the development of new solutions and are collaborating to bring a similar project to the province in the near future. Steps are already being taken with key Ontario decision-makers to launch a test here of this new autonomous electric vehicle.
Because the two partners share the same vision, Keolis Canada will be the privileged local private operator for NAVYA projects under development in Canada. “As a passenger transporter, we feel we must do our part to help protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ontario and Canada can gain inspiration from projects like NAVLY and demonstrate their leadership, while forging the path towards environmental innovation and smart mobility. That’s the direction we’re taking,” stated Patrick Gilloux, President and Chief Operating Officer of Keolis Canada.
Christophe Sapet, President of NAVYA, said: “Since our 30 million euro financing round in October, NAVYA has been in a major international development phase. We are very pleased today to be pursuing our growth in Canada with Keolis Canada, with whom we’re hoping for the same level of success that we’ve had with Keolis France on the NAVLY project in Lyon. Our objective is to be in a position to propose our smart, autonomous mobility solution by January 2017 to the communities and private sites that can most benefit from it.”
Promoting a sustainable, environmental approach
In their respective sectors, Keolis Canada and NAVYA, shares of which are held by Groupe Keolis, are collaborating closely with many communities and proposing practical, sustainable solutions. Together the firms are evaluating a number of possibilities in Canada. In Quebec alone in recent months, Keolis has tested a new electric vehicle in the Les Moulins RCM, introduced electric school buses in the Repentigny region, and announced a partnership with Taxelco, owner of Téo Taxi environmentally-friendly electric taxis. For its part, NAVYA is pursuing its development by becoming involved in a range of smart mobility projects around the world. The company is currently very active in Canada.
SOURCE Keolis Canada
