Bus preferential measures (BPM)
Great news!
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is announcing the implementation of new bus priority measures, including new reserved lanes, in 2018. For more informations, go to the Discover the new reserved lanes section.
Why bus preferential measures?
Bus preferential measures (BPM) consist of installations on the road system that ensure priority is given to public transit, thereby improving the reliability and on-time delivery of service, and increasing public transportation’s attractiveness and modal share.
Such measures make it possible to provide faster, more regular and timely service, while giving public transit a competitive edge over cars. They result in shorter travel times for passengers, a lesser environmental impact thanks to fewer GHG emissions, and lower deployment costs.
BPMs include:
Reserved lanes
They allow buses and taxis to operate on an exclusive roadway, thus avoiding traffic congestion, while offering significant advantages in terms of reliability, timeliness and comfort for passengers.
They feature ground markings, separate signage (either lane-side or overhead) and are operational during rush hour, off-peak periods or 24 hours a day.
Queue bypass lanes
With road markings and special signage, queue bypass lanes enable buses to avoid traffic as they approach certain intersections.
« Candlestick » priority traffic signals for buses
When the vertical white light appears on traffic signals, buses are given priority and a head start over motorists.
- Priority departure for buses at intersections
- 4- to 5-second head start
- In the direction of heaviest ridership
Active priority traffic lights
Buses request priority from traffic signals as they approach an intersection. Either the green light or white priority signal is extended, allowing the bus to drive through and avoid stopping for a red light.
Reserved lanes
Example - Boulevard Saint-Michel reserved lane
- 40,000 passenger rides a day on the 67 and 467 bus lines
- 15 to 20% shorter travel times, or 6 to 8 minutes saved
- On-time bus performance: 94.6%
- 45 tons of avoided GHG emissions
Opinions expressed by passengers
- 95% of customers believe bus preferential measures are useful and improve their ride
- 91% feel that bus schedules are complied with and investments are worthwhile
- 82% notice shorter travel times and 81% want reserved lanes for all bus service
- And 73% enjoy greater comfort
Source: STM passenger survey - 2010
Discover the new reserved lanes
2018
Bus preferential measures on Notre-Dame Est corridor
Since July 9, buses operating on the Notre-Dame Est corridor travel in reserved lanes, dedicated to buses.
- Notre-Dame Est reserved lane : 6: 30 to 9 : 00 a.m. Westbound between Georges-V and Beaurivage
- René-Lévesque reserved lane: 6: 30 to 9 : 30 a.m. Westbound and from 3: 30 to 6 : 30 p.m. Westbound between Papineau and Berri
Bus lines impacted by the new reserved lanes:
- 22 – Notre-Dame
- 150 – René-Lévesque
- 410 – Express Notre-Dame
- 430 – Express Pointe-aux-Trembles
Since 2017, priority traffic lights have gradually been installed on the Notre-Dame Est corridor and others will be over the coming months to complete all bus preferential measures. These bus preferential measures will benefit approximately 10,000 daily trips.
This work was made possible thanks to funding from the Ministry of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification.
2017
Reserved lane along four sections of rue Wellington, between Rhéaume and Ann streets.
From October 9, buses are travelling on a new reserved lane for buses and taxis, from Monday to Friday.
Hours of operation:
- From 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Southbound:
- between Jean-Talon and Bélanger.
- between saint-Zotique and Beaubien.
- From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Northbound:
- between Saint-Zotique and Jean-Talon.
Bus lines impacted by new reserved lane:
- 44 – Armand-Bombardier
- 95 – Bélanger
- 460 – Express Métropolitaine
About 22,000 passenger rides are taken each day during rush hour aboard these bus lines.
New priority traffic lights will be installed between Jarry and Beaubien, in a second phase of work, to complete all bus preferential measures along that corridor.
The infrastructure work was made possible thanks to funding from the Ministry of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification.
Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification.
Reserved lane along four sections of rue Wellington, between Rhéaume and Ann streets.
Starting October 2, buses will travel on a new reserved lane project for buses, taxis and bikes, from Monday to Friday.
Hours of operation:
- From 6:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Eastbound:
- between Rhéaume and Gilberte-Dubé streets / bus-taxi lane.
- between Fortune and De la Sucrerie / bus-taxi-bike lane.
- between Peel and Ann streets / bus-taxi lane.
- From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Eastbound:
- between Rhéaume and Gilberte-Dubé streets / bus-taxi lane.
Westbound:
- from De la Sucrerie to Charron / bus-taxi-bike lane.
- from the Highway 15 overpass to rue Gilberte-Dubé / bus-taxi-bike lane.
Bus lines impacted by new reserved lane:
- 21 – Place-du-Commerce
- 57 – Pointe-Saint-Charles
- 61 – Wellington,
- 71 – Du Centre
- 74 – Bridge
- 715 – Vieux-Port
About 1,700 passenger rides are taken each day during rush hour aboard these bus lines.
It's a second!
This is the second test of cohabitation between buses and bikes in a reserved lane.
New priority traffic lights will gradually be deployed between Woodland and Nazareth streets to complete the bus preferential measures program along that corridor. In a second phase of work, these traffic lights will be upgraded with smart technology to respond to requests for priority sent by buses, in real time, in order to improve travel times for nearly 11,000 passenger rides per day.
The infrastructure work was made possible thanks to funding from the Ministry of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification.
For more information,
go to the press room
Since August 21, a new reserved lane for buses and taxis on boulevard Henri-Bourassa benefits some 4 000 passenger rides taken during rush hour, Monday to Friday.
Hours of operation:
From 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- Westbound: from Place Vermandère to Douglas-B.-Floreani
- Eastbound: from Douglas‐B.‐Floreani to Place Vermandère, except for the short stretch from de Miniac and Brabant‐Marineau
From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Westbound only: from Place Vermandère to Douglas‐B.‐Floreani
Bus lines impacted by new reserved lane:
- 164 – Dudemaine
- 177 – Thimens
- 215 – Henri-Bourassa
- 225 – Hymus.
Bus priority lights will be installed in a second phase of work to complete all bus priority measures along this corridor.
With the reserved lane on boulevard Henri-Bourassa, STM now enjoys reserved lanes along 218.5 km of roads, while 292 intersections feature priority traffic lights, extending the coverage of bus priority measures to a total of 305 km.
The infrastructure work was made possible thanks to funding from the Ministry of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification.
2016
Opened on October 17, 2016, a brand-new entrance is opened for users of lines 439 Express Pie-IX and 139 Pie-lX southbound. Located at the intersection of Boulevard Pie-lX and Rue d’Amos, this is the very first waiting area in operation under the Pie-lX BRT (Bus Rapid Transit service)
Watch out for the changes. The bus stop located on Boul. Pie-lX and Rue D’Amos is being moved to the AMOS station, and the bus stops located on Rue Arthur-Champoux and Rue Martial have been adjusted to the new southbound reserved lane between Boulevard Henri-Bourassa and Rue Charleroi.
The fares and schedules in force remain the same.
Advantages of the AMOS station
- Time saved thanks to the reserved lane section
- Safe access
- Spacious and comfortable weather-protected entrance
- Transit pass dispensers
- Validation of passes on OPUS card or L’Occasionnelle card before boarding
- Boarding by all doors of the bus;
Discover this integrated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service project on Boulevard Pie-IX by visiting:
https://rtm.quebec/en/news/projects/pie-ix-bus-rapid-transit
Between De Jumonville and Renoir
Since June 20, 2016, buses operating on five lines now travel in a reserved lane, dedicated to buses, taxis and carpools, Monday to Friday.
Hours of operation
Southbound:
6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- between Amos and Charleroi; Grandes-Prairies and Galets; Paimpol and Jean-Talon; Saint-Zotique and Jumonville.
- Overall length: 4.25 km.
Northbound:
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- between Jean-Talon and Paimpol; Galets and Grandes-Prairies; Charleroi and Renoir.
- Overall length: 2.9 km
Total overall length of reserved lane: 7.15 km
Buses lines using this new reserved lane:
Main bus lines: 32 – Lacordaire and 432 – Express Lacordaire
Bus lines operating on portions of reserved lane: 33 – Langelier, 69 – Gouin and 439 – Express Pie-IX
Cars with 2 or more passengers can also use the reserved lane.
Advantages of reserved lanes for STM buses
- More efficient travel
- More punctual, regular service
- Less greenhouse gases from these bus lines
This reserved lane for buses, taxis and carpools is made possible with the collaboration of the City of Montréal, the Montréal-Nord, Saint-Léonard and Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie boroughs and Transports Québec.
Between boulevard Rosemont and rue Sherbrooke
Starting in May 2016, bus lines 139 and 439 travel on a new reserved lane for buses and taxis, from Monday to Friday.
Hours of operation
Southbound: from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This section of reserved lane is in operation because of the work to reconfigure the Pie-IX - Sherbrooke intersection and of the integrated project for bus rapid service (SRB) on boulevard Pie-IX.
To learn more about the Pie-IX SRB project, go to srbpieix.ca
2015
Between rue De Normanville and boulevard Pie-IX.
From August 17, the 18 - Beaubien bus line travels in a reserved lane for buses and taxis, Monday to Friday.
Hours of operation
Westbound:
- between 20e Avenue and 1ere Avenue, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- between avenue De Lorimier and rue Fabre, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Eastbound:
- between rue De Normanville and avenue De Lorimier, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- between 1ere Avenue and boulevard Pie-IX, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Note: This is actually an extension of the reserved lane with priority traffic lights initially deployed on rue Beaubien in 2009.
Advantages of reserved lanes for STM buses
- More efficient commutes
- More regular, on-time service
- Fewer greenhouse gas emissions on these bus lines
Car traffic and parking are prohibited in the reserved lane during its hours of operation.
This reserved lane for buses and taxis was made possible in cooperation with the city of Montréal and Transport Québec (MTQ).
Between boulevard Gouin and avenue Saint-Louis
From August 3, all 208 - Brunswick, 209 - Des Sources, 409 - Express Des Sources and 475 - Express Dollard-des-Ormeaux buses travel in a new lane reserved for buses, taxis and carpools, Monday to Friday.
Hours of operation:
Southbound:
From 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- between Gouin and De Salaberry boulevards
- between Hymus boulevard and avenue Saint-Louis
Northbound:
From 3:30 to 18:30 p.m.
- between avenue Reverchon and boulevard Hymus
- between De Salaberry and De Pierrefonds boulevards
Cars with 2 or more occupants can use the reserved lane.
Parking on boulevard des Sources is prohibited at all time.
Advantages of lanes reserved for STM buses
- More efficient trips
- More punctual service at regular intervals
- Fewer greenhouse gases on these bus lines
This reserved lane for buses, taxis and carpools is made possible with the cooperation of the city of Montréal, the borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, the city of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, the city of Pointe Claire and Transports Québec.
Between Victor-Doré and De Beauharnois streets
From July 17, 2015, all 179 de l’Acadie and 180 de Salaberry buses travel in a new lane reserved for buses and taxis, Monday to Friday.
Hours of operation
Southbound:
- between Victor-Doré and Lavigerie streets, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- between Caroline-Béique and Beauharnois, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 to 18:30 p.m.
Northbound:
- between Legendre and Louvain streets, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 to 18:30 p.m.
- between Port-Royal and Place de l’Acadie, from 3:30 to 18:30 p.m.
Upcoming: The City of Montréal plans on adding priority traffic lights (white «candlestick» light) for buses for operation during off-peak periods in a second phase of work sometime in 2016. Where installed, these traffic lights will give priority to buses at those intersections.
Advantages of lanes reserved for STM buses :
- More efficient trips
- More punctual service at regular intervals
- Fewer greenhouse gases on these bus lines
Cars :
Car traffic and parking will be prohibited once the reserved lane is operational.
This reserved lane for buses and taxis is made possible with the cooperation of the city of Montréal and Transports Québec.
2014
Ride aboard the 64 Grenet and 468 Express Pierrefonds/Gouin bus lines and travel along a new reserved lane for buses and taxis, Monday to Friday.
Advantages of the reserved lane
- More efficiency way to travel
- More regular and on-time delivery of service
- Fewer greenhouse gases on these lines
Hours of service
- Southbound : between De Mésy and Deguire, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- Northbound : between Deguire and De Serres, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
On-street parking is permitted on opposite side of reserved lane during operation hours.
This reserved lane for buses and taxis is a joint initiative by the city of Montréal and Transports Québec.
Two new reserved lane segments are in service
- between De Viterbe and Saint-Zotique
- between Rosemont and Pierre-De Coubertin
Southbound: 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Northbound: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m
Automobile traffic and parking are not permitted in the reserved lanes when in service
PILOT PROJECT - bus-bike-taxi reserved lane between Rosemont and Pierre-De Coubertin
Montréal is well known for its citizens’ interest in alternative methods of transportation including buses and bikes. This pilot project allowing for the cohabitation of these two forms of transportation.
Viau reserved lane offers several benefits:
- Trips that are more efficient
- Service that is more regular and more punctual
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions in your sector
- A safe and comfortable layout for the movement of buses and bikes
It’s a first!
This is the first test of cohabitation between buses and bikes in a reserved lane. We will conduct assessments and,depending on the results, this type of reserved lane could be implemented elsewhere in Montréal.
Ride aboard the 105 Sherbrooke and 420 Express Notre-Dame-de-Grâce bus lines and travel along a new reserved lane for buses and taxis, Monday to Friday.
Advantages of the reserved lane
- More efficiency way to travel
- More regular and on-time delivery of service
- Fewer greenhouse gases on these lines
Hours of service
- Eastbound : between Elmhurst and Girouard, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- Westbound : between Addington and West Broadway, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
On-street parking is permitted on opposite side of reserved lane during operation hours.
This reserved lane for buses and taxis is a joint initiative by the city of Montréal and Transports Québec.
