Recommendation to merge public transit agencies throughout Greater Montreal: report
Posted May 24, 2024 12:50 pm.
Last Updated May 24, 2024 2:26 pm.
The mayors of Greater Montreal have reportedly been recommended to merge the region’s public transport network to save money.
La Presse reported that the firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton (RCGT) noted that users would benefit from having all bus lines and metros managed by the same entity or company.
The report was released in April and is said to be under analysis by the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM).
Currently, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), the Société de transport de Laval (STL), the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) and exo operate buses, metros, and trains but some of their services may “benefit” by being merged.
The report states that it could save around $250 million if they were to optimize certain operations such as grouping together garages and customer service.
Also, that this transition would make it possible to “generate profits quickly and better manage change,” because the current division “causes an inefficient allocation of funding.”
Another recommendation was the possibility of cancelling certain night buses that are “rarely used” in exchange for an on-demand service.
These recommendations may be presented at a meeting on Friday between Quebec Transport Minster Geneviève Guilbault and mayors of the Greater Montreal region.
