Damera at AMO 2025: Driving the Future of Accessible, Zero-Emission Transit

August 19, 2025
About the Event
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2025
August 17-20
Ottawa, CA
Type of the event
Conference
On Display
Karsan eJEST Minibus
Published on
August 19, 2025
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Building Smarter Transit for Ontario

The AMO Conference is Ontario’s leading forum where municipal leaders, policymakers, and industry partners gather to tackle the province’s most pressing challenges. Unlike broader transit events, AMO is focused entirely on Ontario’s communities, conditions, and future.

Ontario deserves leadership in transit innovation — and at Damera, we’re proud to deliver it. Our right-sized, fully electric minibuses are designed not only for cleaner streets but for communities where traditional transit has often fallen short.

Ontario faces unique realities — from congested urban centers like Toronto, to suburban regions built around the car, to rural towns where transit service is scarce. Harsh winters, aging infrastructure, and ambitious climate commitments make it clear that solutions must be designed specifically for Ontario.

That’s where Damera makes an impact. Headquartered in Mississauga and serving more than 70 Ontario transit agencies through our sister companies, we bring not just vehicles but technology-driven solutions:

  • Right-sized, zero-emission minibuses that expand coverage and frequency while cutting costs.
  • Smart mobility tools, in partnership with innovators like Argo, that make transit easier and more reliable for riders.
  • Complete electrification support, from charging infrastructure to workforce training, ensuring agencies succeed in every stage of the transition.

At AMO 2025, we’re proud to showcase how Damera is driving Ontario’s connected future — bringing leadership, proven expertise, and the latest innovations to help municipalities deliver smarter, cleaner, and more accessible transit for every community.

Experience Karsan eJEST

Visitors to AMO 2025 will have the opportunity to step inside the Karsan eJEST on display. While the bus will remain stationary, turning it on allows attendees to experience its quiet operation firsthand. Instead of the roar and vibration of a diesel engine, the eJEST produces only a soft hum when lights, HVAC, and systems are active — giving a clear sense of the acoustic comfort passengers enjoy every ride.

Seeing the bus up close also reveals the details that matter to everyday riders: the wide, low-floor entrance with built-in ramp, spacious interior, panoramic windows, forward-facing seating, and bright lighting. For decision-makers, it’s not just about specifications on paper — it’s about understanding how these features combine to deliver accessibility, comfort, and modern design in real life.

Direct conversations with our team offer another layer of insight. Beyond technical specs, we can share real-world performance data, deployment examples, and cost comparisons that show how Ontario municipalities can achieve more coverage and frequency for the same investment.

Rethinking Transit Beyond the Car

In too many neighborhoods, mobility still depends on driving. Families, seniors, and students without access to a car face long waits, limited routes, or no reliable service at all. Right-sized, zero-emission minibuses are changing that reality.

These vehicles fit seamlessly into residential streets, campuses, and suburban corridors where 40-ft buses are impractical. Quiet, cost-effective, and fully accessible, they extend coverage, improve service frequency, and connect people to the places they need to go — whether that’s school, healthcare, work, or the local grocery store.

And in dense urban centers, where congestion and parking shortages limit mobility, these compact electric buses move easily through tighter streets. Instead of oversized buses running half-full, municipalities can deploy smaller vehicles that match service levels to real demand — reducing costs while boosting ridership.

Karsan eJEST minibus for sale riding along Ontario Streets in Argo branding

Accessibility That Works for Everyone

Accessibility in transit means more than compliance — it means dignity, independence, and ease of use for every rider.

Damera’s right-sized buses offer:

  • Low-floor, barrier-free entry so boarding is easy for mobility devices, strollers, and seniors.
  • Built-in ramps and kneeling functions for flexibility at different curbs and stop conditions.
  • Spacious, well-lit interiors designed for comfort and inclusion.
  • Smart technology that provides clear signage and real-time updates to reduce uncertainty.

Unlike retrofitted vans, our vehicles are engineered from the ground up as transit-grade solutions — delivering 12+ years of service life, proven safety, and the comfort riders expect.

Why Ontario Needs Scalable Transit Solutions

From Toronto’s busy downtown streets to suburban towns and rural communities, Ontario’s geography and climate present unique challenges. Harsh winters, long commutes, and aging infrastructure demand solutions that are resilient, flexible, and cost-effective.

A single 40-ft electric bus can cost $700,000–$900,000. For the same investment, municipalities can put up to four Karsan eJEST electric minibuses on the road — multiplying coverage, shortening wait times, and serving areas large buses cannot reach.

With our headquarters in Mississauga and over 20 years of local experience through MBGC and MBCT, Damera is deeply rooted in Ontario’s transit landscape. We support more than 70 agencies across the province and maintain over 3,000 buses annually — making us a trusted partner in fleet electrification and modernization.

Smarter Transit Through Technology: Our Partnership with Argo

From left to right — Sumit Chakraborty CPA, CA (Vice President Finance at MBGC); Chris Pulford (Manager of Electric and Autonomous Vehicles at Damera); and Qamar Qureshi , Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Argo .

Vehicles alone aren’t enough. That’s why Damera partners with Argo Mobility to integrate intelligent on-demand technology.

Together, we make transit more convenient and rider-focused:

  • Easy booking through a mobile app — no need to memorize timetables.
  • Dynamic routing so buses spend more time serving riders, not running empty.
  • Real-time arrival updates that eliminate long waits.
  • Optimized service that stretches municipal budgets further.

The result is a system that feels as seamless as ride-hailing but costs a fraction to operate — with zero emissions and fully accessible vehicles at its core.

You Can’t Ignore What’s Working

Agencies already adopting right-sized, technology-enabled transit are seeing results: stronger ridership, better coverage, and higher satisfaction from riders who finally feel connected.

The economics are undeniable. For the cost of one large electric bus, agencies can deploy multiple minibuses, increase service frequency, and reduce operator shortages by utilizing vehicles that don’t always require CDL drivers.

This is how we bring communities back to transit — by building systems that are reliable, affordable, and accessible for everyone.

Meet Us at AMO 2025

We’re bringing these conversations to AMO 2025 in Ottawa. Join us to see how Ontario municipalities can deliver smarter, more sustainable transit.

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Let’s Build the Future of Transit, Together

With Damera, municipalities don’t just purchase buses — they gain a partner with proven expertise in:

  • Electric microtransit & long-distance motorcoaches
  • Charging infrastructure & installation
  • OEM parts & warranty service
  • Technical training, including TUV Level 3 High Voltage Certification

From planning and procurement to fleet support and long-term service, our solutions align with Ontario’s climate goals, budget realities, and accessibility commitments.

👉 Contact us today or connect with us at AMO 2025 to see how right-sized, zero-emission transit can transform mobility in your community.

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