
Sarnia Transit is the public transportation provider for the City of Sarnia, Ontario, delivering essential mobility for residents, workers, seniors, and students across the community. Like many mid-sized Canadian transit agencies, Sarnia Transit is balancing the need to modernize its fleet with limited capital budgets, evolving service patterns, and growing expectations around sustainability and reliability.
As part of its transition toward zero-emission transit, Sarnia Transit took a measured, strategic approach—starting with a right-sized electric vehicle rather than a full fleet conversion.
Electrification presents real opportunities, but also real risks—especially for agencies deploying their first electric bus.
Sarnia Transit faced several common challenges:
Rather than pursuing a large, complex rollout, the agency focused on learning, flexibility, and operational confidence.
The Karsan eJEST was selected as an ideal first step into electrification.
As a right-sized, purpose-built electric transit bus, the eJEST allows agencies to:
With thousands of units operating globally, the eJEST offers proven reliability—making it a practical choice for agencies beginning their electric transition.
Starting with one electric bus was a deliberate decision.
This approach allows Sarnia Transit to:
A single, well-planned deployment creates a foundation for future growth—without exposing the agency to unnecessary financial or operational risk.
To support its first electric bus, Sarnia Transit partnered with WAV ENERGY, selecting a Smart Mobile Charger with a 184 kWh battery pack.
This solution provides:
By avoiding fixed, capital-intensive installations, Sarnia Transit preserved flexibility while ensuring reliable charging from day one.
As the North American distributor for Karsan, Damera supported Sarnia Transit throughout the deployment by:
Our focus is not just delivering vehicles—but helping agencies deploy them successfully in real service.
Sarnia Transit’s first eJEST is more than a vehicle—it’s a learning platform, a proof point, and a foundation for scalable electrification.
Right-sized electric transit allows agencies to move forward confidently—delivering cleaner service today while preparing for tomorrow.
If your agency is considering its first electric bus—or planning how to scale responsibly—Damera’s team is ready to support you every step of the way.
Contact us to explore right-sized electric solutions built for real transit operations.