The long-awaited electric school bus has officially joined St. Michaels University School, marking an exciting milestone that will reduce the fleet’s emissions by up to 25 per cent. This addition is a significant step toward the school’s strategic goal of reducing overall emissions by 60 per cent by 2030.
“The Sustainability Council heard the news about the new electric bus arriving and there was an overwhelming sense of excitement because it represents a concrete reduction in emissions for SMUS,” said Larisse Zhao and Beatrice Sharpe, Grade 12 students and Heads of the Sustainability Council.
A Strategic Approach to Sustainability
“Having a Board of Governors Sustainability Committee has truly changed how we operate,” said Craig Farish, SMUS Sustainability Coordinator. “The school’s original sustainability committee made some progress on campus, but with the Board's support and direction, we now have strategic priorities and a budget that allow us to pursue impactful goals in sustainability.”
SMUS has set ambitious emissions reduction targets across both buildings and transportation. With the support of audits, engineering recommendations, and government grants, the school recently upgraded its building automation systems and added digital direct controls, significantly reducing energy energy consumption.
In transportation, SMUS partners with Glenlyon Norfolk School to share costs and routes, maximizing efficiency and ridership. For many years, the 10-bus SMUS fleet has also followed a renewal plan, replacing one bus per year to maintain a modern, efficient fleet.
Transitioning to Electric Transportation
“There wasn’t any reason to buy another diesel bus and moving toward electric was simply the right choice,” Farish said. “Of our 10 buses, four do most of the work, covering double routes to areas like Sidney and the Western Communities.”
Farish credits Transportation Manager Jody Bright and Manager of Ancillary Services John Edgar for their extensive work in selecting the right electric bus model. The Thomas Jouley C2, the first of its kind in Western Canada, fits seamlessly into the fleet, offering a 240-kilometre range per charge and seating for 72.
While the electric bus offers significant emissions reductions and fuel cost savings, it also comes with a learning curve.
“It’s the right thing to do, but as early adopters, we are also dealing with some challenges,” Farish admitted. “We have to train all our drivers on charging protocols and get them comfortable with the new bus. Setting up the charging station and optimizing charging between runs both require some new learning and flexibility. But in the long run, it will be worth it.”
Visible Change and Community Impact
The electric bus is a visible statement of the school’s commitment to sustainability—a commitment that students can see daily.
“We need to show physical evidence of change,” Farish added. “A bus is something students notice, and it impacts many of them directly. We’re learning as we go, but we’re also committed to sharing our experiences with other schools. Working together to reduce emissions is essential. We can only control our part, but I believe it makes a difference.”
Students agree that this is a visible and positive step forward but the work is only just beginning.
“We recognize that a lot of work has gone into acquiring the bus, but we believe the impact will be worth it,” added Sharpe and Zhao. “That being said, while this bus is a big milestone, the Council continues to look at ways SMUS can reduce waste at the school. Our next big initiative will be implementing more compost bins at the school!”
Having our first electric bus was made possible in part by contributions to the SMUS Annual Fund. Look out for the electric bus in the school’s regular rotation as of this week.
