STM garage sale : a vintage treasure hunt!

Press release

A vintage garage sale of STM items that were actually used by the public transit system in past decades will take place at the Bellechasse garage, on October 14.

Montréal, October 10, 2018 – The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will be holding a vintage garage sale of items that were actually used by the public transit system in past decades. The event will take place at the Bellechasse garage, located at 5990 rue Casgrain, on October 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“We’ve managed to collect a number of vintage items, and now it’s time to find them a new home. In response to our customers’ wishes, the STM is creating an opportunity for collectors and Montréal public transit history buffs to acquire a variety of items. They will also have a chance to look around Bellechasse garage, which was built in 1941 and will be demolished next year to make room for a new bus garage,” said Philippe Schnobb, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the STM.

A unique inventory

In the 1970s, the MUCTC occasionally organized auctions to dispose of found items unclaimed by their owners. The items were sold to the highest bidder, and the collection of umbrellas was usually bought by a bookseller, who then gave them away to customers when they were caught by a sudden downpour, for example. It was only recently that the STM began saving the vintage items it retired. Some of the items up for sale include:

  • Fare boxes used on buses up until the 2000s
  • Small bus route signs which were posted at the front of buses, when necessary
  • Signage, including platform banners, taken down from certain métro stations in recent years
  • Parts from MR-63 cars recently retired from service

Since quantities are limited, items will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to give other buyers a chance, each person will be allowed to buy no more than three of any given item. Moreover, people will not be allowed to place orders. Buyers can pay cash, or with a credit or debit card. All sales are final (no exchanges or refunds).

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the Boutique STM to make these items available. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to various charitable organizations. After the event, some items will continue to be available online, on the Boutique STM’s website. We invite Montrealers to come out to the garage sale in large numbers. It will be the perfect meeting place for public transit enthusiasts!” said Schnobb.

Philippe Schnobb will meet with the media at the garage sale from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and will be available for interviews.

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medias@stm.info