OPUS card for students 12 – 25: The STM extends the period to renew their reduced fare privilege to November 15

Press release


 

OPUS card for students 12 – 25:
The STM extends the period to renew their reduced fare privilege to November 15


Montréal, October 28, 2009 – On October 6, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) implemented new measures to make it easier for students to renew or acquire the reduced fare privilege for travel on public transit in Montréal.

Since this date, holders of the photo ID OPUS card have been able to renew their fare privilege by going to one of the six service points that the STM has set up in its network. In addition, a temporary photo studio has been added at the Berri-UQAM station for students 12-25 who do not yet have their photo ID OPUS card.

STUDENTS 12-25 WHO ALREADY HAVE THEIR PHOTO ID CARDS AND WHO MUST RENEW THEIR REDUCED FARE PRIVILEGE FOR THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR

Each school year, students 12-25 must renew their reduced fare privilege before October 31.

This year, as some students have not done so within the required period, the Société has decided – in addition to all the procedures that it has already put in place – to extend the period for renewing this fare privilege until November 15. If they have not renewed the fare privilege as of this date, they will have to pay the full fare to travel on the STM’s network.

To reactivate their reduced fare privilege, with which they can save $378 per year*, students can go to one of the six service points located in the Côte-Vertu, Lionel-Groulx, Honoré-Beaugrand and Jean-Talon stations as well at the STM Terminus at the Fairview Pointe Claire shopping centre, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. They can also go to the Customer Service Centre at the Berri-UQAM station, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We have said it over and over. In order to benefit from the reduced fare, students aged 12 to 25 must renew their fare privilege. While the card has a life span of two years, the reduced fare privilege must be renewed each year,” stated the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Michel Labrecque.

“Despite numerous reminders and other efforts undertaken by the STM, 40% of them have not yet renewed their fare privilege. The STM has done its part, now it’s up to them to do theirs! No more procrastinating. Between now and November 15, everybody must renew their fare privilege!”, Mr. Labrecque stressed.

Advertising on FACEBOOK
In order to reach the greatest possible number of students aged 12 to 25, the STM will place advertising on Facebook today, targeted at the some 700 560 users in this age group living in the Montréal area.

REMINDER: FOR STUDENTS 12-25 WHO MUST OBTAIN A PHOTO ID SMART CARD

Students aged 12 to 25 who do not yet have their OPUS cards can go to the temporary SPEQ Photo studio at the Berri-UQAM station (mezzanine level), Monday to Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They can also go to the permanent SPEQ Photo studio at the McGill station (2020 University), Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lastly, it should be pointed out that the STM has issued close to one million OPUS cards since their launch in April 2008.

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* Monthly CAM – regular fare: $68.50
Monthly CAM – reduced fare: $37.00
Difference between the two: $31.50 per month X 12 months = $378 per year