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The Illinois Public Transportation Association Fall Conference & Vendor Expo in Champaign brought together industry professionals from across the region to explore the future of public transit.
Damera was proud to participate, represented by Roman Duplak, P.Eng., M.Eng., VP of America Sales, alongside our partner Ömer Yılmaz, North America Regional Sales Manager at Karsan Automotive.
On display at the event was the Karsan eJEST—North America’s first fully electric, low-floor minibus—designed for microtransit, paratransit, and on-demand applications.
Find the conference agenda here.
Preparing depots forelectrification is about more than installing chargers. Agencies mustconsider grid capacity, utility partnerships, and long-term fleetexpansion. As the Canadian distributor of Karsan’s electric minibuses, Damera has shared real-world expertise on how charging infrastructure ties directly into vehicle deployment. From planning the first chargers on-site to coordinating with utilities and ensuring facilities are future-ready, our work shows how smart infrastructure decisions support sustainable fleet growth.
We are happy to help agencies to make a smooth electrification start with the Karsan eJEST vehicles. Compact eJEST charging solutions like portable DC chargers ABB Terra Wallbox let agencies begin small, test deployments, and scale infrastructure as fleets grow.
The eJEST supports both overnight charging and fast-charge options, and one charge is enough for the full day 6-8 hours service.
Learn more about chargers here.
For every transit agency, operating costs are one of the biggest pressures. Fuel, maintenance, and vehicle procurement can quickly consume budgets—especially when running large buses on routes with low ridership.
The Karsan eJEST offers a way to reduce these costs without sacrificing service. Its compact, fully electric design uses less energy than a traditional diesel bus and requires less maintenance thanks to fewer moving parts. Agencies can often deploy up to four eJEST minibuses for the price of a single 40-foot diesel bus. This means instead of one large vehicle running under capacity, agencies can spread service across multiple routes or neighborhoods, improving coverage while controlling expenses.
Beyond purchase price, the savings extend into daily operations. Charging the eJEST overnight costs just a few dollars, compared to the much higher cost of diesel fuel. Over time, these savings add up—freeing resources to reinvest into service quality, technology, or fleet expansion.
By right-sizing their fleets with the eJEST, agencies can deliver more service to more people, all while staying within budget.
Read more about cost savings in Saint John case study.
One of the toughest questions for agencies today is how to deliver service where big buses don’t make sense. In places like suburban neighborhoods, rural towns, university campuses, and even certain city districts, demand is too low or spread out to justify running 40-foot buses.
That’s where microtransit offers a new path forward. By combining smaller, more nimble vehicles with technology like on-demand apps and real-time tracking, agencies can create service that’s both flexible and cost-efficient. Riders get the convenience of shorter waits and direct connections, while agencies keep costs under control.
That is why, Damera brought eJEST to North-American market. The eJEST was designed for microtransit—compact, fully accessible, and built to serve routes and neighborhoods where traditional buses are not efficient.
Transit safety is one of the most critical responsibilities for any agency. It goes beyond compliance—it means protecting passengers, supporting operators, and ensuring systems run reliably every day.
Karsan places safety at the center of its vehicle design. The eJEST, distributed by Damera, is built with low-floor accessibility, advanced driver assistance features, and the capability to integrate new technologies. Through Karsan’s partnership with Adastec, autonomous systems are being developed that use advanced sensors and AI to prevent collisions, improve driver awareness, and deliver consistent safety standards across fleets.
For passengers, safety is also about trust. In areas where transit is less reliable, riders may be forced to wait outside in the dark, cold, or unsafe conditions. This is where digital solutions play a major role. On-demand platforms like Argo give riders accurate arrival times, so they spend less time exposed and more time confident that their ride will show up. For agencies, the same platforms offer fleet visibility, helping them monitor vehicles, reduce delays, and keep service dependable.
In this way, the eJEST doesn’t just provide mobility—it helps agencies create a culture of safety that riders can see and feel every time they travel.
Paratransit remains one of the most complex and costly services to provide. Agencies must ensure accessibility for every rider, even when passenger volumes are low. The challenge is balancing this responsibility with limited budgets.
The eJEST is a fully accessible low-floor bus, making it ideal for paratransit applications. It allows agencies to serve riders of all abilities with dignity, safety, and comfort.
The Karsan eJEST provides an effective middle ground. With its low-floor design, electric ramp, and wide doors, it removes the barriers often associated with boarding and eliminates the need for mechanical lifts. By combining the accessibility of traditional paratransit with the flexibility of microtransit, one vehicle can serve multiple needs. This reduces costs for agencies while giving riders a service that feels modern, easy, and inclusive.
Driver shortages are one of the most pressing issues in transit today. Recruiting and keeping staff requires vehicles that are easier to operate and more comfortable to drive.
Here the eJEST stands out. Because it does not require a CDL license, it instantly broadens the pool of potential drivers. At the same time, operators benefit from a quieter cabin, no diesel fumes, and a smoother driving experience. These improvements not only reduce fatigue but also make the job more appealing, helping agencies attract new talent and retain experienced staff. In a tight labor market, the eJEST becomes part of the solution.
Expanding transit services isn’t just about adding routes—it’s about testing ideas, listening to riders, and scaling what works. This process requires vehicles that can be deployed quickly, adapt to new models like on-demand service, and operate cost-effectively.
The Karsan eJEST is built for exactly this role. Its compact size and full accessibility make it ideal for piloting new services, reaching underserved communities, and proving the value of microtransit. Agencies can then scale successful programs into long-term services without the financial burden of oversized diesel buses. With Damera’s support, “discovery to delivery” becomes not just a theme, but a practical roadmap for growth.
Our collaboration with Karsan goes far beyond vehicle distribution. Together, we provide agencies with fast and reliable parts supply, responsive after-sales service, and shared technical expertise. This partnership ensures that every eJEST delivered in North America is backed by Karsan’s global innovation and Damera’s local support—giving agencies confidence in both their investment and long-term operations.
On Display at IPTA:
Visitors had the opportunity to see the eJEST in person, reinforcing its role as a practical, proven solution for agencies moving toward smarter and more sustainable transit.
✨ Looking to right-size your fleet or prepare for electrification? The Damera team is here to help.
📩 Contact us: sales@dameracorp.com | dameracorp.com
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