The STM announces a win-win agreement with RTL about transit fares at Longueuil - Université-de-Sherbrooke métro station

Press release


 

The STM announces a win-win agreement
with RTL about transit fares at
Longueuil - Université-de-Sherbrooke métro station


Montréal, June 15, 2010
In the wake of a review of the financial framework for public transportation in the metropolitan area, Société de transport de Montréal (STM) announces that it has reached an agreement with Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) about fares at Longueuil – Université-de-Sherbrooke station, which will gradually equalize métro fares at stations located outside of Montréal.

“Harmonizing fares will allow us to conclude the last of the four components on which the review of the financial framework for public transportation is based. Indeed, regional authorities within the CMM have concluded the terms of a comprehensive agreement that defines the financing options for public transportation and its governance in the Greater Montréal area. These two components are in addition to the one pertaining to Montréal métro extensions and to today’s regarding fare harmonization,” declared Mr. Labrecque, Chairman of the STM Board of Directors.

Regional financial framework and governance
Last February, the CMM’s Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution asking the Québec government to implement a 1.5 cent per litre tax on gas to provide for the new financial framework for public transportation in the metropolitan area, thus generating additional revenues of $55 M. In effect since last May 1 following a positive response by the government in its 2010-2011 budget, the measure allows for the implementation of new rules of governance along with simple and fair financial terms.

Métro network extensions
In September 2009, the MTQ announced the creation of a project management bureau, with a $ 12 M budget, following an agreement reached between Montréal, Longueuil and Laval about métro extensions within their respective territories.

Fares
The STM will maintain the fare structure currently in effect at Longueuil – Université-de-Sherbrooke métro station until December 31, 2010. Also, as of January 1, 2011, clients using the South Shore station will need to purchase a new transit fare, the CAM Longueuil, costing the same as a TRAM 1 pass. Moreover, only regular and reduced fare single trip cards will be accepted as unit fares. Finally, on January 1, 2012, clients will be required to purchase monthly fares equivalent to TRAM 3 passes.

« This initiative reflects our willingness to make the fare transition easier for clients using Longueuil – Université-de-Sherbrooke métro station and to equalize fares among stations located in Longueuil and Laval. Indeed, the STM Board of Directors has accepted the RTL’s proposal for a gradual adjustment that will ultimately result in the application of a fare equivalent to a TRAM 3 pass for Longueuil – Université-de-Sherbrooke by 2012. This comprehensive agreement is a step in the right direction to ensure the survival of public transportation and is the result of concerted action by transit partners who have been working on this since 2007,” explained Michel Labrecque, Chairman of the STM Board of Directors.

See Public Notice

Moreover, the STM will invest more than $2 M to refurbish Longueuil – Université-de-Sherbrooke métro station over the next two years. Improvements planned for the first phase include repairs to interior surfaces and finishes, the installation of warning tiles, repairs to staircases and improving directional signage. The second phase will see the installation of electronic billboards, improvements to the lighting system, repositioning of fare vending equipment and resurfacing floors and walls.

The STM will launch an information campaign featuring the distribution, among others, of information fliers and the installation of poster ads inside the Longueuil-Université-de-Sherbrooke station from June 18 to July 5. Also, transit fares are sold by fare booth attendants at Longueuil station, as well as the usual retail merchants. For more information about the fare grid, clients are invited to consult the STM website at www.stm.info.

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