STM announces new bus priority measures on Maurice-Duplessis boulevard

Montréal, October 1st, 2018 – The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is announcing the implementation of a reserved lane for buses, taxis and bikes on Maurice-Duplessis Boulevard, between Langelier and Rivière-des-Prairies Boulevards and between Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard and 87th Avenue (westbound only for bus and taxis), as of October 3, 2018.

Totalling 10.8 km in length (both directions), the reserved lane will be operational from 6:30 to 9 a.m. westbound and from 3:30 to 6 p.m. eastbound from Monday to Friday. Other bus priority measures will also be implemented in a second phase on Maurice-Duplessis in 2018, with the addition of priority traffic lights (white candlestick lights) between Désy Avenue and Rivière-des-Prairies boulevard on Maurice-Duplessis boulevard for buses during off-peak periods. Buses will be given priority when crossing intersections where these signals are installed. In the second phase, these traffic lights will be upgraded with smart technology to respond to real time requests for priority sent by buses to improve travel times.

These measures will benefit approximately 62,000 daily trips, including 16,000 mostly during peak periods, on lines 43 Monselet, 48 Perras, 49 Maurice-Duplessis, 69 Gouin, 86 Pointe-aux-Trembles, 183 Gouin, 444 Express Cégep Marie-Victorin, 448 Express Maurice-Duplessis, 449 Express Rivière-des-Prairies, 428 Express Parcs-Industriels-de-l’Est.

The new 81 Saint-Jean-Baptiste line, which has been operational since August 27, also benefits from the reserved lane to ensure efficient service.

“This new reserved lane project for buses, taxis and bikes is a third opportunity to test out road-sharing between these modes of transportation and follows in the wake of the overreaching thought process surrounding the implementation of future reserved lanes. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our partners involved in making this project a reality, namely the Rivière-des-Prairies—Pointe-aux-Trembles and Montréal-Nord boroughs, the City of Montréal and the Bureau du taxi. Reserved lanes can reduce travel time by about 10% while improving on-time delivery of bus service, providing a competitive edge over single-occupant car use,” says STM Board Chairman Mr. Philippe Schnobb.

Bus priority measures are installations on the road system that ensure priority is given to public transit, thereby improving the reliability and on-time delivery of service. They include reserved lanes and bus priority traffic signals. Implementation work is made possible through funding from the Ministry of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification.

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Isabelle A. Tremblay
Affaires publiques
Société de transport de Montréal (STM)
medias@stm.info