Road works: STM significantly increases service for fall school term

Montréal, August 18, 2016 – Because of the major disruptions to traffic caused by the Turcot, Bonaventure and Champlain work sites referred to this morning by Mobility Montréal, the STM will implement measures to increase service this fall, starting next August 29, making it easier to travel toward the downtown area.

 « Thanks to financial assistance from the Ministry of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification and from the City of Montréal, we have taken steps to propose alternatives to single-occupant car use, said Philippe Schnobb, chairman of the STM board of directors. Our goal is to redirect customers to the métro as much as possible in an effort to unclog our roadways. »

As part of its partnership with Mobility Montréal, STM will implement four measures, taking proactive steps to handle the back-to-school rush.

1. Enhanced métro service
   - Additional service on the Green line during morning and afternoon rush hour, increasing the number of available seats by 4000.
2. Enhanced bus service in the greater Sud-Ouest area
   - 25 additional buses purchased, with delivery expected in November 2016
   - Added service on 13 bus lines (16,500 hours in 2016 and 50,000 hours in 2017) converging on the métro and, more specifically, the Green line stations in that targeted area
   - To provide this additional service, all airport shuttle buses will be reassigned to regular service. As a result, 16 coach buses were leased to temporarily operate the 747 P.-E.-Trudeau/Centre-ville bus line, until the 25 new buses are delivered.  
3. Increased presence of staff in bus and métro networks to ensure optimal transit experience for customers
   - Additional staff to accompany customers in métro network
   - Additional operational staff on hand throughout bus network
   - Police presence to help with smooth flow of passengers
4. Campaign to promote the offer of public transit service in the areas impacted by construction work, including fare incentives
   - 10 free rides offered to motorists to try out public transit (« STM à l’essai ») 
   - Promotional campaign to help change attitudes about transportation
   - Customized fliers for individual sectors

At a total annual cost of some $11 M, excluding bus purchase, these measures are entirely funded by the Ministry of Transportation, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification and by the City of Montréal. The measures will be maintained in 2017. SOFIL, the Société de financement des infrastructures locales, is financing 85% of the nearly $24 M bus purchase. 

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Amélie Régis 
Affaires publiques
STM
514 280-5508 
amelie.regis@stm.info