Journées de la culture: new podcasts about the Montréal métro

Press release

September 27 2018

For Journées de la culture, the STM launches a series of podcasts on the Montréal métro's history and architecture

Montréal, September 27, 2018 — As part of Journées de la culture, the STM is offering its clientele and all public transit lovers a series of podcasts on the Montréal métro. These audio clips each tell historical facts and anecdotes about this means of transportation that changed the face of Montréal forever.

Métro conception, architecture and art work on the menu

The first podcast talks about the planning and building of the métro, from the design of the original system in the 1960s to the extension of the Green line to Angrignon station in 1978. Architect and urban planner Guy R. Legault, engineer Serge Melançon and métro builder Jacques Bourassa share their experience.

The second covers station architecture. Why are all Montréal métro stations different? How did the architects achieve this amazing feat? What challenges will the STM face regarding asset maintenance and the addition of new equipment to the stations? Guy R. Legault, architect Didier Gillon and Riccardo Di Marco, head of architecture at the STM, all weigh in with their comments.

The third podcast covers the artwork featured in the métro system. Who had the idea to add artwork in the métro? What is its purpose? How were the artists and themes chosen over the years? And how is the artwork maintained? Artists Mario Merola (Sherbrooke and Charlevoix stations) and Claire Sarrasin (Parc station), as well as Riccardo Di Marco, share their thoughts.

The host of the three podcasts is historian Benoît Clairoux, who wrote two books on the métro, including Raconte-moi le métro de Montréal (Éditions Petit Homme, 2016).

The podcasts are available on Soundcloud and can also be listened to on the STM’s website

The STM invites the public to share its experience by using the hashtag #stmbalado.

Photos of the stations of the green line extension

Click on thumbnail to view in high-definition. Source : Julien Perron-Gagné

Angrignon Charlevoix