MAKE WAY FOR ELECTRIFICATION - JONATHAN TABARAH ANNOUNCES RTL’S PRIORITIES FOR 2020

Longueuil, January 22, 2020 - On the heels of an excellent 2019, the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) has several projects lined up for 2020. The Chairman of the RTL Board of Directors, Jonathan Tabarah, is starting off the decade highly optimistic about the major changes expected in the next few years, which will shape the future of mobility and public transit.

“We need to make public transit even more attractive to people, as one of the best options for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving the flow of traffic. We also need to give our users on the South Shore some long-awaited new transit options. In that sense, the RTL will have the privilege of spearheading the projects office for the implementation of key—primarily electric—public transit initiatives that will join up with the extension of the metro’s yellow line and run along boulevard Taschereau,” stated Jonathan Tabarah, Chairman of the RTL Board of Directors.

One of the major elements of the Agglomération de Longueuil’s Vision 2025, the electrification of public transit, also figures among the RTL’s priorities. The purchase of five electric midibuses, the first two of which have already been received, will require major adjustments to the RTL’s facilities. “We’re currently track-testing our first two midibuses before putting them on the road. Three other midibuses will follow in the coming weeks,” adds Jonathan Tabarah. In addition to being a new, sustainable public transit solution for Agglomération de Longueuil citizens, these compact vehicles will allow the teams to start making the transition to electric ahead of the arrival of the fully electric 40-foot buses.

“The review of our network will be another key priority for the RTL this year, specifically with the arrival of the REM, which is also 100% electric. With Phase 1 of the public consultations completed, the analyses are now underway. Additional consultations with the citizens in the Agglomération’s five cities will take place before the review moves forward,” added the Chairman of the RTL Board of Directors.
 
All actions taken by the RTL will continue to be dictated by the user experience. The implementation of reserved lanes and park-and-ride lots, and the addition of smart mobility features will help create sustainable mobility options for the Agglomération.

About the RTL

The Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) is the main transit provider for individuals within the five cities that comprise the Agglomération de Longueuil.
The third-largest public transit organization in Québec, the RTL operates a network of 793 kilometres. With some 1,100 employees, the RTL is a major employer that contributes to the economic vitality of the region.

Ever receptive to its users, the RTL plays a key role in the lives of the people and the communities it serves by providing solutions that are efficient, innovative, and adapted to the evolving needs
of its clientele. Improving quality of life for the citizens of the Agglomération de Longueuil is a top priority for the RTL.