Starting September 1, 2009, fares loaded on an OPUS card or a magnetic card are the only ones accepted in the STM transit system

Press release


 

Starting September 1, 2009,
fares loaded on an OPUS card or a magnetic card are the only ones accepted in the STM transit system


Montréal, August 27, 200
9 The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) wishes to remind clients that starting next September 1, only those fares loaded on an OPUS card or on a magnetic card will be accepted in métro stations and aboard buses.

Clients who still have individual tickets or strips of paper tickets by September 1 can have them refunded after that date at the lost and found counter on the mezzanine level of Berri-UQAM station.

Anyone who pays the regular fare but does not yet have an OPUS card can obtain one immediately from a fare controller in the métro or from one of the many retail outlets throughout metropolitan Montréal’s boroughs and municipalities. OPUS cards are still on sale for $3.50 until December 31, 2009.

For those who pay the reduced fare, the photo ID OPUS card is mandatory. Clients must go to SPEQ Photo at 2020 University (McGill station) with the required documents depending on whether the person is 65 and over, or a student 12 to 17 years old, or a student 18 to 25 years old. A list of these documents is available at www.stm.info where more useful information about OPUS cards can be found.

During the back-to-school period, the STM will be visiting schools and colleges to enable students in both age groups (12 to 17 and 18 to 25) to obtain their OPUS card if they do not have one, or to renew their reduced fare privilege, if they already use one. Indeed, the fare privilege must be renewed every year before the October 31 deadline, even if the card itself is valid for a two-year period. To find out more about the photographer’s visits, go to www.stm.info.

Finally, only children 6 to 11 years old can pay the reduced fare in cash aboard the bus and métro without having a photo ID OPUS card ($1.75, in exact change only). However, if they use public transit on a regular basis, it is best for them to get an OPUS card with photo ID in order to enjoy the discounts offered by reduced rate transit fares (six or ten single rides, weekly and monthly fares). To get one, they must go to SPEQ Photo with the required documents. A complete list is available at www.stm.info .

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