Electrifying public transit to enable sustainable mobility

This week, the Société de transport de Laval (STL) announced Phase IV of the expansion of its 100% electric facilities. Financially supported by both levels of government, the electrification of public transit helps move closer to the federal government’s 2030 objectives and leverages Québec’s electrical resources to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.

In Québec, the STL is becoming a leader in the 100% electric public transit industry with the inauguration of this project. Several other transit authorities have already begun this transformation. Drawing on our expertise in public transportation, we also support the transit authorities of Montréal, Sherbrooke, Lévis, as well as EXO in studying the electrification of their infrastructure.

“Each project we undertake comes with its own challenges. This is not a copy-and-paste process. We develop an approach, a concept, and solutions tailored to the reality of each transit authority,” says Eric Girard, Architect, Principal Partner, and Head of Public Transit Practice at STGM Architecture.

An electrification project involves multiple challenges, beginning with the adoption of new technologies, the revision of established practices, and the transfer of new knowledge to teams.

To develop the concept, our teams followed these guiding principles:

Flexibility, so that spaces respond to current and future client needs and emerging technologies;

Inter-team collaboration, serving as a vehicle for internal culture and opening up to the community;

Well-being, by providing a safe and pleasant work environment for all employees through dynamic, adaptable, and stimulating spaces;

Long-term sustainability, ensuring that long-term resource investments align with sustainable development values.

For the STL, Phase IV represents the expansion of the garage to integrate the electrification of its services—but above all, it is the creation of a true campus designed to welcome employees in a unique work and living environment. This final phase on the site once again demonstrates STL’s innovative approach, leading to a fully electric complex.

The new infrastructure was developed with user well-being at its core. All STL areas of expertise—from mechanics to drivers—were involved in the design process for what will become their new campus. The result is a highly technological building offering flexible, well-designed workspaces, open to the outdoors and filled with natural light.

Public transit has been at the heart of our practice for over 20 years. We are proud to support our clients in their transition toward sustainable mobility, to create infrastructure capable of integrating the required technologies, and to contribute to the advancement of responsible urban development.

To learn more about the project: the STL video