My Alerts Montréal, June 19, 2012 – Michel Labrecque, chairman of the STM board of directors, Ms. Josée Duplessis, district councillor for De Lorimier in Plateau Mont-Royal borough, and Ms. Erika Duchesne, district councillor for Vieux-Rosemont in Rosemont – La Petite-Patrie borough, today welcomed a millionth passenger for the 427 Express Saint-Joseph bus line. They marked the event by offering promotional objects to customers, all in a festive mood aboard the ‘millionaire bus’.
‘Featuring a limited number of stops, this bus line linking Rosemont – La Petite-Patrie and Plateau Mont-Royal boroughs with the downtown core is a resounding success. Since its introduction in spring 2010, the number of passenger rides during the morning rush hour has tripled to some 3000 rides per average weekday, while the number of departures has increased by about 50%. As an alternative to the métro to reach the downtown area without having to transfer, this direct service has convinced nearly 1000 métro users to adopt the other Orange line each morning,’ declared Michel Labrecque.
‘The 427’s huge success rests with the reserved lane it travels along. It shows the extent to which the public is ready to join our society in motion. People enthusiastically embrace each improvement, each increase in service,’ added Ms. Duplessis, district councillor for De Lorimier in Plateau Mont-Royal.
‘The success enjoyed by the 427 bus line is directly related to the needs of the neighbourhood’s residents, more and more of whom are choosing Rosemont - La Petite Patrie. We are located in the heart of the city and public transportation is an essential component in the social and economic development of a neighbourhood like ours. Public transit is also a key issue in our green revolution,’ explained François William Croteau, borough mayor for Rosemont – La Petite-Patrie.
Since its launch March 29, 2010, the 427 Express Saint-Joseph bus line operates Monday to Friday during morning and afternoon rush hour, and takes you directly downtown from 6:20 to 9:20 a.m. and takes you back from downtown, just as directly, from 3:30 to 6:15 p.m. Buses run at 5- to 10-minute intervals according to time of day. Its route features 28 stops in each direction, connecting with UQAM and Corcordia university hubs, Gare d’autocars de Montréal bus terminal, and the downtown core where a large number of office buildings and tourist attractions are located. The STM reminds that the bus line was created as part of its service improvement program, funded in equal measure by Transport Québec and the City of Montréal.
Reserved lanes for better service
Totalling 8.3 kilometres, public transit’s reserved lanes along Saint-Joseph and René-Lévesque boulevards are used Monday to Friday, during morning and afternoon rush hour periods. They cover nearly 50% of the route taken by the 427 and help improve bus circulation by 10 to 15%, thereby providing better service to transit users and better schedule adherence.
Customers can review the Planibus for bus timetables. They can also get timetable information from the www.stm.info website or the m.stm.info mobile site, by calling AUTOBUS (514 288-6287), by SMS messaging (text 52786), or using our app for iPhone.
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