Bus Network Redesign in the Centre-North and West Island: A Network Rethought to Adapt to Current and Future Mobility Needs

To allow customers to familiarize themselves in advance with the new service, the STM is also making an online trip simulator available as of today, enabling users to review the new routes and plan their future trips. 

This major transformation of the network affects nearly 80 routes across six boroughs and nine related cities on the Island of Montreal. As the arrival of a new REM branch in the sector represents a unique opportunity for the STM to rethink its network, the bus network redesign aims to improve the customer experience, adapt to current and future mobility needs, align the bus network with the arrival of the REM, and make it more efficient and attractive. 

This planning work was carried out based on the financial, vehicle and human resources available in order to serve as many customers as possible, according to an analysis of each neighbourhood. More than 150 meetings with municipal and community partners and 7 webinars for economic, institutional and community stakeholders were organized to inform the planning process. 

The main benefits of this redesign are: 

• More connections with the REM; 
• Increased service on 15 routes, including 4 with extended evening and weekend service; 
• 8 new routes to better cover the territory; 
• More direct routes to destinations, with simplified service on 24 routes. 

“This redesign is historic in that it is the largest redesign ever undertaken by the STM. It is part of our commitment to offering a more efficient bus network, better adapted to the needs of citizens and aligned with major mobility projects such as the REM,” said Marie-Claude Léonard, General Manager of the STM. “I would like to highlight the tremendous work accomplished by our network planning experts, who analyzed each neighbourhood based on current and future needs. Their combined efforts made it possible to rethink the bus network to make it more attractive and complementary to major public transit infrastructure.” 

Implementation 

The STM will be ready to deploy its new bus service in the Centre-North and West Island sectors as of March 23, but the date will be confirmed based on the deployment of the Anse-à-l’Orme branch of the REM. As the new network is designed to provide more direct connections to the REM as a whole, the STM cannot implement it unless both branches are in service. 

In addition, urban infrastructure work in the affected boroughs and related cities will continue to be rolled out over the coming weeks to prepare for the deployment of the redesign. Temporary signage is also being gradually installed at stops, stations and terminals. 

A Communication Campaign to Become Familiar with the New Network 

As with previous redesigns, the STM is rolling out a communication campaign prior to the official launch to support customers through this transition and allow them to become familiar with the details of the new service. 

This campaign includes: 

• An online trip simulator to plan and visualize future trips, available as of today; 
• A detailed web page including maps and relevant information on the new routes; 
• Local outreach activities such as information kiosks and public meetings; 
• A multi-channel, geo-targeted communication campaign combining advertising in the bus and metro network, digital placements and social media content. 

“We are aware that an adaptation period will follow the network changes. That is why we want every customer to be able to understand and explore their new travel options in order to make the most of them. The participatory approach and digital tools put in place are intended to make this transition smooth and predictable for customers,” said Aref Salem, Chair of the STM Board of Directors. 

About the Bus Network Redesign 

In 2018, the STM launched a collaborative process to rethink the surface network, make it even more efficient and attractive, while taking into account the mobility needs of Montréal residents as well as urban development. Guided by five key principles, the STM consulted representative and specialized stakeholders, the general public and populations from various sectors of the city to improve the customer experience and review the design and architectural elements of its surface network. In parallel with sector-based consultations, the changes related to the redesign are aligned with the implementation of major public transit projects.

Media presenation: Technical briefing for the media (FRENCH ONLY)