By Robin Della Corte
www.thesuburban.com
The Société de transport de Laval was rewarded the Certification for 2012 for their Carbon Care by Enviro-access, a testimony to its dedication to the responsible management of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the past few years.
“The Carbon Care Certification is recognition for all the hard work we have accomplished up to now, and it encourages us to continue pursuing these initiatives” Guy Picard, general manager of the STL said in a statement. “The STL is an important stakeholder in the goal to reduce greenhouse gases by 50 percent per capita for transportation in Laval by 2031 and by 25 percent by 2020 for the current provincial government. This certification once again confirms that we are moving in the right direction.”
Enviro-access is one of three Canadian centres working for the advancement of environmental technology, which supports the development of businesses and innovative projects that contribute to improving the quality of the environment.
A survey, first for this type for the STL in a year, saw its ridership reached 20,638,602 trips in 2012—an increase of 2.6 percent.
To receive this award, The STL met all the requirements needed including taking an inventory of its GHG emissions to meet the ISO 14064-1 standard and of its direct and indirect emissions.
Over the past few years, the STL’s dedication to improving the energy efficiency of the services it offers to the people of Laval is predominant.
The certification was also given to STL due to the great success of their recent campaign In Town Without My Car day. During this campaign, 12 947 people took advantage of their special $1 fare and it showed an increased ridership of 5.69 percent, or an additional 4,586 trips, which means there were 2,000 fewer vehicles on the road in Laval.
Through research and study on new methods of transportation, the gradual electrification of its vehicles, encouraging carpooling and riding bicycles, the STL has contributed to environmental protection in Laval.
Other actions taken by the STL recognized by Enviro-access are:
• Acquiring 48 buses that met the 2010 EPA standards in 2010 and 2011.
• Implementing the CLIC carpooling project and aiming to replace 40 gas fueled cars with 10 electric cars by 2011.
• Reducing fuel consumption of buses by adding electric fans.
• Using B5 biodiesel in its buses.
• Purchasing three new Westmatic bus washing stations that use 85 percent recycled water and 15 percent fresh water.
• Obtaining level three certification in the ICI ON RECYCLE program which is reserved for establishments where the reduction, re-use and recycling of materials have created a waste recovery rate of 80 percent or greater.
• Using recycled parts and products.
• Implementing the responsible management of waste batteries.
• Reconditioning mechanical parts including motors, transmissions, drivers’ seats and mirrors.
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