What will be the name of the Montréal métro’s new cars ? Have your say in the matter !

Press release

Montréal, March 8, 2012  –  The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is initiating a second round of consultations to determine the name of its new métro cars. The public at large is invited to choose among the following five proposals:

  • Azur: by definition, an intense shade of clear blue, it perfectly brings to mind the colour of the future métro cars ;
  • Boomerang: the name implies reliable and dynamic movement, and also refers to the idea of a train that always returns to its point of departure ;
  • Kronos: in Greek mythology, this ruling god (Cronus) personified time and destiny. When spoken, the word brings to mind a chronometer, used to keep time accurately. Such an instrument is essential to operating a transit system, the same way a watch is essential to a train conductor ;
  • Véga: the star is relatively close to the Sun. Seen from Earth, it is the fifth brightest star in the night sky. Its name is short and simple and reminds us of a metro’s headlights piercing the tunnel’s darkness ;
  • Zéphyr : according to Greek mythology, this god personified the west and north-west winds. A gentle breeze, fresh, light, warm and pleasant… like the métro. It also provides a solid, credible name for our future métro cars.

Anyone interested in taking part in this public consultation must go to either www.mouvementcollectif.org or www.stm.info websites, until March 25 at 4 p.m. to cast their vote. Also, anyone wishing to view the video produced for the occasion can do so at: http://www.mouvementcollectif.org/en/grand_projets/3093

“Of the 6,000 name suggestions we received, five evocative names were preselected and presented to the Board of Directors’ Customer Service Committee, for the purpose of finding a name for our future métro cars, currently referred to by their technical name, MPM-10,” explained Michel Labrecque, chairman of the board. “Montrealers are very proud of their métro and we want to involve them in every step of the project leading to their introduction into passenger service in 2014. By giving the public, as well as STM and Bombardier-Alstom employees, a fun and friendly way of naming the new métro cars, we hope to strengthen their sense of pride.”

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