The STM annouces services improvements for St-Laurent Technoparc

“This service improvement is the result of collaborative efforts by the STM, Saint-Laurent borough officials, Technoparc Montreal leaders and Saint-Laurent’s transportation management team,” declared STM chairman, Claude Trudel. “These new measures, part of a public transit services improvement plan, jointly funded by Transport Québec and the city of Montréal, are designed to meet the growing needs of transit users in this expanding area dedicated to research centres, as well as aerospace, life sciences and information technology corporations.”

“The St-Laurent Technoparc sees thousands of workers and visitors each day. Through these service improvements, we hope to promote and facilitate access to public transit in this leading-edge sector,” added Alan DeSousa, Saint-Laurent borough mayor. “The use of public transit services is now considered a fast and efficient travel alternative to get there.”

According to Technoparc Montreal Chief Executive Officer, Mario Monette, “In addition to making it easier for the 35 employers in the St-Laurent campus to recruit manpower, this considerable increase in public transit service will mean more commuting flexibility for employees, whom we feel are increasingly willing to adopt other means of transportation than the car.”

Added service on the 72 bus route

Last November 3, service on the 72 – Alfred-Novel bus route was increased during rush hour with an additional seven morning and afternoon departures. Thus, between 6:15 and 10 a.m. as well as between 3:30 and 7 p.m., buses will run at 12-minute intervals instead of every 25 minutes.

Beginning in January 2009, the bus route will offer continuous daytime service on weekdays, at 30-minute intervals between rush hour periods, thereby linking St-Laurent Technoparc to Du Collège métro station.

Moreover, as of March 2009, the terminal stops will be relocated as a result of the 72 bus route’s modification. Indeed, the new route will extend westward to Fairview terminus and eastward to Côte-Vertu métro station. For workers from the West Island, the modified route will provide them with direct access to Technoparc’s St-Laurent campus, while reducing travel times for workers from Laval and Montréal’s East end, with a transfer at Côte-Vertu terminus.

Establishment of a new public taxi service

The STM now offers a new, on-call public taxi service between Sunnybrooke train station in Dollard-des-Ormeaux and St-Laurent Technoparc. Eleven public taxi stops paired with as many of the 72 bus route’s stops are also available within the St-Laurent campus.

The new service is now available weekdays, during morning rush hour, from 7 to 8 :45 a.m., and afternoon rush hour, from 3:40 to 5:45 p.m. Public taxi service is synchronized with train service at Sunnybrooke station and calls for fourteen departures, with seven going to the campus in the morning, and seven coming back from the campus in the afternoon.

To use the public taxi service, clients must reserve their seat at least one hour in advance by calling the CO-OP des propriétaires de taxi de l'Ouest métropolitain directly at 514 636-6666. Fares are the same as for the STM’s integrated transit network.

“The sum of these initiatives, which translate into an increase in service of some 15 000 hours a year, will enable us to provide our clients with greater scheduling flexibility and continuous daytime access to the métro,” concluded Mr. Trudel.

For more information, including travel directions, transit users can call STM-INFO (514-786-4636), consult the STM system map or website at www.stm.info.