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 Press releases
The
STM takes an important step
towards acquiring articulated buses
Montreal,
December 6, 2006 -
The STM Board of
Directors today passed a by-law authorizing a $183 791 000 loan to finance
the purchase of 202 low-floor, articulated buses. The total amount includes
the awarding of a contract to Nova Bus worth $171 944 289 for the STM. As a
prerequisite, the acquisitions of these articulated vehicles must first be
approved by the Québec Transport Ministry, with respect to their eligibility
for subsidies through the government’s public transit funding programme, and
the approval of the minister for Municipal Affairs regarding the loan
by-law.
As part of the
2007-2009 three-year capital spending plan (PTI), this project is part of
the strategies adopted to better meet the needs of public transit clients,
namely on-time performance, service regularity and less crowding aboard
buses. Its goal is to improve the offer of service, by increasing passenger
capacity by about 10% on nine highly travelled bus routes. Moreover, the
purchase of articulated buses will enable the STM to reduce its operating
costs by some $3.7 million
dollars a year.
“This is an
important step in the process leading to the acquisition of articulated
buses, which should be operational in Montréal by 2009,” explained STM
Chairman, Claude Trudel. “This new type of vehicle will enable the STM to
provide improved service to its customers and lead to increased ridership on
bus routes showing a strong potential for growth.”
2003-2007 bus acquisitions
Moreover, the Board
of Directors also authorized a loan by-law to proceed with a group purchase
of standard low-floor buses with other public transit companies in Québec,
once the required authorizations are obtained. This $172 343 500
investment by the STM will allow for the purchase of 305 of these buses and
is also part of the 2007-2009 PTI, in accordance with the bus fleet
management plan. The overall amount includes the exercise of purchase
options contained in the 2003-2007 bus purchase contract and the awarding of
additional orders to Nova Bus worth $161 773 273 for the STM. Buses will be
gradually delivered each year until 2012.
The STM is
responsible for group purchase contracts for the acquisition of articulated
and low-floor buses, and they are the result of a call for public tenders
among Canadian bus manufacturers.
As a public transit
corporation, the STM is a key component to economic growth in the Montréal
area, contributing to the quality of life of its citizens and protecting the
urban environment. It develops and operates an integrated bus and metro
network, while courteously providing safe, reliable and comfortable public
transportation services. Its customers, employees, corporate and commercial
partners are proud of their association with the STM because of its
reputation for delivering quality services at a fair price.
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