Public invited to ride electric bus

T3 Transit customers and stakeholders have an opportunity to travel on a zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior Charge transit bus this week as the City of Charlottetown and towns of Stratford and Cornwall partner with the public transport agency to conduct a market test and examine the feasibility of transitioning to an electric fleet.

The Xcelsior Charge transit bus, which was originally scheduled to be in Charlottetown in March, will travel routes in Cornwall on the morning of Sept. 4 and in the afternoon, will be in Stratford. On Sept. 5, the electric bus will travel along Route 1 on University Avenue.

During the demonstrations, the bus will be part of the regularly scheduled routes with the standard fares applied. On Sept. 6, representatives from each of the three municipalities, staff and other stakeholders, along with media will tour the bus, learn about the results of the demo and have an opportunity to ask questions.

T3 Transit, Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall are working with New Flyer Canada ULC, North America’s largest bus manufacturer building all three zero-emission bus models (battery-electric, fuel cell-electric, and trolley-electric), on the demonstration. They will discuss the infrastructure needed to operate an electric fleet and the associated maintenance costs.

Should the feasibility test prove positive, the three municipalities, along with T3 Transit, will look for funding opportunities. It’s expected that battery-electric transit buses, which are essentially zero-emission vehicles, would significantly reduce greenhouse gas and air contaminant emissions.

For more information on T3 Transit and to access the transit schedule, visit https://t3transit. ca/ or call 902-566-9962, and choose Option 1.

Islanders with Irish roots and fans of traditional Irish sports will make their presence known in Charlottetown this weekendas Gaelic football and hurling players head to the province’s capital for the Eastern Canadian Gaelic Athletic Association championships.

Last year’s championships were the first time Kim Studer played Gaelic football.

“It was basically trial by fire,” she said with a chuckle.

Kim’s husband, CJ, has shown an interest in the sport for a number of years.

“I’ve been involved with the P.E.I. Gaelic Athletic Association for about two years. But the sport is so new on the Island. We’re hoping that by hosting the championships, we’ll create a larger interest in the sport.”

This year marks the third year of the PEIGAA’s existence – and a first for the association’s women’s team – and the Miscouche couple is excited about the event.

“Playing last year was really about the camaraderie for me. I had to go over the bridge and play with the Halifax team because we didn’t have a ladies’ one. Yes, it’s great to win and everything like that, but it’s also a really great time to get everyone together and have some fun,” said Kim.

“This year the ladies’ team has grown so much. It’s like once someone goes to one practice, they are hooked.”

The majority of the women’s team is made up of Prince County resident,s while the men’s team is made up mostly of Souris residents.

Players, officials and the Irish ambassador to Canada arrived on P.E.I. yesterday for an opening meet-and-greet before the tournament