The one millionth passenger boards the 495 Express Lachine-Lasalle bus!

Press release

Montréal, September 19, 2012  –  Bernard Blanchet, member of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) Board of Directors and Lachine borough councillor, Claude Dauphin, mayor of Lachine borough, and Ross Blackhurst, LaSalle borough councillor, today greeted the one-millionth passenger aboard the 495 Express Lachine-LaSalle. Together, they added to the festive mood by handing out promotional objects to transit users aboard the “millionaire bus”.

“With a limited number of stops, this bus line offers another faster connection between the boroughs of Lachine and LaSalle. It also ensures improved mobility within each borough thanks to an optimized itinerary. Since it was introduced in service in spring of 2010, the overall number of passenger rides has more than doubled to reach some 3,500 rides a day per average weekday, confirming the bus line’s success. Slight route changes have also made it possible to attract a new pool of customers by giving access to West Island commuters and providing an alternative for Boulevard Bouchard residents and workers, in Lachine,” declared Mr. Blanchet.

“For Lachine transit users, the 495 bus is an interesting option to quickly connect with the métro by way of Angrignon station on the Green line. Whether one is going to work, to André-Laurendeau cegep, Lachine hospital or an appointment downtown, this express line, even during off-peak periods, enables Lachine residents to get around town more easily, especially when heading to Dorval and LaSalle. Furthermore, combined with other express bus lines operating within our borough, the 495 bus adds to the level of STM service offered to my constituents,” emphasized Mr. Dauphin.

“In LaSalle, the 495’s success among transit users is no surprise to us, as its service complements the local lines already serving our borough. This bus line is an answer to the growing need for transportation in the east-west corridor toward Lachine and Dorval, whereas most of the existing lines provided a connection with Angrignon métro station and Montréal. While featuring a limited number of stops yet serving all strategic public locations in LaSalle, the 495 bus is without a doubt one of the best improvements in terms of public transportation in our area since the Candiac commuter train line reopened,” explained Mr. Blackhurst.

Introduced into service on March 29, 2010, the 495 Express Lachine-LaSalle runs all day, Monday to Friday, from 5 a.m. to métro closing time at night. During morning and afternoon rush hour, buses run every 20 minutes, and every 23 minutes during off-peak periods. Its itinerary features either 35 or 36 stops, depending on the direction, and offers a faster, more direct access to Angrignon station for the Lachine hospital, LaSalle borough offices, L’Octogone library, LaSalle General Hospital, Place LaSalle and André-Laurendeau cegep. The bus line was created as part of the STM’s service improvement program, financed equally by Transport Québec and the City of Montréal.

Transit users can check the Planibus for timetables. They can also get schedule information by telephone by calling AUTOBUS (514 288-6287), from the website at www.stm.info, mobile site at m.stm.info, by SMS messaging by entering 52786 or by using our iPhone app.

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