Introductory offer extended: Only $3.50 for an OPUS card until next December

In June, everyone is switching to OPUS
The STM wishes to remind clients that June will be pivotal because, as of this month, the old-style single tickets, strips of six tickets, and reduced fare weekly and monthly passes will no longer be sold. From now on, they will only be available on OPUS cards.

Thus, the OPUS card becomes the only means by which specific client groups can enjoy reduced fare privileges. As a result,

• Students 12 to 17 years old, if they have not already done so, must obtain an OPUS card with photo ID because, starting June 1, it will be the only card allowing them to purchase reduced transit fares;
• The same change will apply to seniors 65 and over, schoolchildren 6 to 11 years old and paratransit users on July 1.

An end to reduced fares paid in cash
As of July 1, it will no longer be possible to pay the reduced fare in cash, except for seniors 65 and over who have an OPUS card with photo ID and schoolchildren 6 to 11 years old.

Cash fare and single trips
Regular fares paid in cash will still be accepted aboard buses and in the metro. Clients who do so will receive a magnetic card that serves as both transfer and proof of payment.

Use and refund of old-style fares
Anyone still holding old-style fares by June 1 can use them until August 31. However, by September 1, 2009, only those fares loaded on an OPUS card or a magnetic card will be accepted.

Clients who still have single tickets or strips of tickets by September 1 can have them refunded – as of that date – at the Customer Service Centre’s lost & found section located at Berri-UQAM station.

A posteriori fare control
In an effort to prepare transit users to this new approach to fare control, inspectors will travel throughout the STM network (buses, métro and terminals) this summer to raise awareness among transit users. As of September 1, proof of payment will be mandatory for everyone.

On time and on budget
Although several adjustments were needed along the way, so far the OPUS project has respected both its projected timeframe and budget.

A few numbers that say it all

• 671 800 OPUS cards issued
• 1 million card reader validations on average each day
• monthly fares charged over 300 000 times each month
•  a 90% satisfaction level
• 6 OPUS customer service centres (Berri-UQAM, Honoré-Beaugrand, Côte-Vertu, Jean-Talon, Lionel-Groulx and Fairview Centre)

All in all, quite a success ! And the secret behind it rests on the 17 000 hours spent informing and communicating with clients.

For more information about all aspect of the OPUS card, simply visit its website at www.carteopus.info