Today, the Blue line extension project office awarded the contract for the line's new train control system. The adoption of a communications-based train control (CBTC) system, which is already used by the vast majority of subway network operators around the world, is an opportunity to modernize the Montréal métro's train control system for the entire Blue line.

Train control systems are the brains of underground networks; the use of CBTC will thus be a high‑value upgrade for the Blue line system. The $217,173,941 contract was awarded to Ground Transportation Systems Canada Inc. and includes installation, maintenance and certain options for the CBTC system. The project is funded primarily by the Quebec government, with support from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

Replacing the system on the existing Blue line became necessary because the current system is outdated and couldn't be used to operate the extension. The new system consists of devices placed at different points along the tracks and on the train cars themselves that make it possible to detect the location of each train and communicate effectively with them.

The new system will improve train reliability, frequency and passenger comfort when trains stop and start. It will be installed first on the existing Blue line and later on the line extension. The system on the métro network's other three lines will also eventually need to be upgraded.

The Blue line extension is currently under construction. The project office recently issued the final call for tenders for the construction of the tunnel and the excavation of some of the future stations and auxiliary structures (CI12). The project office is currently analyzing the bids received; the bid analysis and assessment results will be available in summer 2024.

The Blue line extension project will add five new stations east of Saint-Michel station, all the way to Anjou, over a distance of some six kilometres.

"Awarding this major contract is another step toward completing the Blue line extension. We've been waiting for this for decades, and now, it's finally happening! This is further proof of our commitment and the significant investments we're making to support and develop public transit in Montréal's east end."

Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Minister and Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility

"We're proud to have found the way forward for a public transit project so vital to Montréal's east end. This new milestone shows real progress on the Blue line extension, which has been eagerly awaited for the past 30 years. These five new Blue line stations will see the addition of nearly 15,000 new housing units to the area, fostering growth in Montréal's east end."

Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal

"The adoption of a new train control system reflects our shared commitment to efficient public transit for people in the Greater Montréal area. That's why we're here: to meet the needs of our users by delivering fast, reliable, high‑quality public transit."

Benoit Gendron, Chief Executive Officer of the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM)

"By 2030, 93% of the STM's infrastructure will be more than 40 years into its useful life. We need to take every opportunity to modernize our network, which is what we're doing by replacing the train control system. The extension will allow all Blue line users to benefit from the new system and its advantages. Modernizing the existing network is the best way to boost the appeal of mass transit while improving service quality."

Éric Alan Caldwell, Chair of the STM Board of Directors

"Awarding this contract is a major step toward completing the Blue line extension. The train control system will help coordinate activities at existing and new stations across the Blue line. It's state‑of‑the‑art technology that will benefit both our customers and our operations teams and improve service delivery."

Maha Clour, Lead Project Manager for the Blue line Extension

Source : STM

Starting December 4, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will have teams working at Snowdon métro station to upgrade and refurbish certain equipment and facilities. Once the work is completed, many of the improvements will have a positive impact on customers.

Continuing until December 2024, the $16 million project will involve:

Work in customer-accessible areas:

• Refurbishment of three staircases
• Replacement of floor tile sections
• Refurbishment of lighting and addition of fixtures on the upper central platform
• Refurbishment of gutters and the water pipe system
• Installation of foot grilles to catch water and snow
• Refurbishment of the spandrel above the stairs between the fare booth level and the upper platform
• Landscaping on Dornal Street

Work in non-customer-accessible areas:

• Refurbishment of a slab in an equipment room
• Electromechanical work in some areas
• Structural repairs and injections to seal cracks
• Work on power supply equipment including upgrades

The station will remain open during the project. The work will have no impact on the bus stops, métro service or elevators at the station.

Network upgrades

To live up to customer expectations, the STM must continue to prioritize upgrading and developing its public transit networks. By 2030, 93% of the STM's infrastructure will be more than 40 years into its useful life.

As such, the STM plans to spend $4.9 billion on upgrades to stationary métro equipment (escalators, ventilation, elevators, etc.) and other bus and métro infrastructure by 2033.

The Blue line extension Project Office announced an important milestone today: the issuing of the final call for tenders for the construction of a tunnel using a tunnel boring machine and for site preparation work for some of the future stations and auxiliary structures. This is the largest contract to be awarded in this major project. When complete, the Blue line extension will transform the transportation landscape in the east end of Montréal and inject new life into the area's economy.

Given the complexity of this contract, a two-stage call for tenders process was selected. In the first phase of the call for tenders, which began in December 2022, preliminary tenders were received. This phase had the benefit of beginning a discussion process with the pre-qualified bidders. It also provided specificity on the financial and technical aspects of the project. The discussion process with bidders is now complete. Today, the project office is commencing the issuing of the final call for tenders, which will allow the pre-qualified bidders to submit their final tenders.

The winning bidder will be announced in the first quarter of 2024. This bidder will be responsible for providing:

• The detailed design, supply and operation of the tunnel boring machine
• The construction of the tunnel between Pie-IX and Anjou West using a tunnel boring machine
• The construction of the tunnel between Pie-IX and the tail tracks of the current Blue line using conventional tunnelling methods
• The excavation of Pie-IX (main entrance building only), Viau and Lacordaire stations and some auxiliary structures

Following the discussion process with bidders, the timetable was extended to be fine-tuned around market realities. As a result, the Blue line extension will not be put into operation before 2030. The scenario for putting the line extension into operation will be confirmed when the next contracts have been awarded and the final terms of the project have been approved by the Conseil des ministres.

The project office still intends to begin major excavation work in 2024.

The project is officially in its execution phase. Work is continuing as planned, in concert with the partners responsible for the project. 

Source: STM

Preparatory work for the Blue line extension will begin in the Langelier/Jean-Talon area during the week of August 7, 2023. The work will involve relocating urban public utilities for the massive excavation that will be needed to build the new métro station. The utilities that need to be relocated include water pipes, sewers, and underground conduits and cabling.

The work will be carried out in phases to reduce the impact on travel in the area. Work will be done during the day, but streets will remain closed overnight. Detours will be in effect, marked by appropriate road signage. Several bus stops will be closed or relocated. Depending on the phase, this will mainly affect lines 33, 141 and 372. Signage will be put up at the affected stops, and a range of real-time information tools will be available to inform users of detours in effect and help them plan their trips. Access to neighbouring businesses will be maintained at all times.

• Jean-Talon Street: One lane open in each direction
• Langelier Boulevard: All lanes open

• Jean-Talon Street: Open to westbound traffic on the other side of the street / One lane open in each direction coming from the west
• Langelier Boulevard: Righthand southbound lane closed /All northbound lanes open

• Jean-Talon Street: Westbound lane fully closed at Langelier Boulevard only / One lane open in each direction coming from the west
• Langelier Boulevard: Southbound left-turn lane closed / Northbound right-turn lane closed

• Jean-Talon Street: One lane open in each direction
• Langelier Boulevard: All lanes open

The work will then continue until the end of the year but will not impact vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

Visit www.stm.info/plb-langelier to find out more about the Blue line extension and the upcoming preparatory work. The page includes short informative videos where STM experts explain what kind of work will be done and what street closures and mitigation measures will be in place.

The Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) and its partners—TELUS (as project integrator), Bell, Rogers and Vidéotron—are proud to announce that the deployment of the 4G LTE mobile network is now complete in all 68 stations and 71 km of tunnels that make up Montreal's metro system. With the Jolicoeur, Monk and Angrignon stations connected today, this complex project, launched in 2013, has now been completed within its stated schedule, scope and budget, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The project involved an investment of nearly $50 million—funded in equal parts by telecommunications providers Bell, Rogers, TELUS and Vidéotron—and it has provided the STM with Canada's largest indoor digital network and the longest underground wireless network in the country. This special collaboration among the country's largest telecom companies has brought uninterrupted connectivity and stable, 100% LTE coverage throughout the STM stations and trains. STM passengers can now enjoy a download speed of up to 275 Mbps, which is comparable to what they might get at home.

The upgrades required the deployment of radiant cable and antennas in tunnels, the installation of technical cabinets in stations, and the addition of five utility rooms containing specialized equipment and located at key points in the network to ensure optimal coverage.

Through close coordination and meticulous planning, the teams involved managed to complete the project in compliance with all of the key parameters defined for the project. Another fact worth mentioning is that this work was completed with minimal impact on STM commuters and did not require full or partial closures of any stations or entry points, nor did it cause any disruptions to passenger travel. All of this was achieved despite the inherent challenges of such a complex project and completed in an environment that tens of thousands of people walk through every day, with multiple work sites in progress at any given time.

"I'm very proud to see this innovative, visionary project being completed today for the benefit of the STM and its customers," exclaimed Michel Lafrance, General Manager of STM subsidiary Transgesco s.e.c., a limited partnership. "With its unique funding model, the partnership between Bell, Rogers, Telus and Vidéotron is the envy of transit corporations around the world."

"I'd like to salute the hard work and collaboration of our partners—Bell, Rogers, TELUS and Vidéotron—who did a masterful job spearheading this project, together with the STM teams," added STM Chairman of the Board Philippe Schnobb. "The deployment of the mobile network will greatly improve our customers' commuting experience, and also enable us to communicate more effectively with them. Today is truly a great day for the Montreal metro system!"

"As project integrator for the design and implementation of the 4G LTE network in the STM metro system, TELUS is proud to have played a role in improving the commuter experience with speeds and underground coverage that are unprecedented in the country," explained François Gratton, Executive Vice-President, Group President, TELUS and Chair, TELUS Health and TELUS Quebec. "This public transit achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to building stronger, better-connected communities in Montreal and across the country."

"Bell has kept Montréalers connected since our company was founded here in 1880, and we're proud to partner in this outstanding communications achievement by the STM," said Karine Moses, Bell's Vice Chair, Québec. "We offer our thanks to the STM and all our network partners for their leadership in making Montréal's underground mobile network one of the most advanced in the entire world."

"Montrealers want to stay connected when they take the metro, and Rogers is proud to help provide STM users with reliable, consistent wireless service," said Édith Cloutier, President of Quebec, Rogers Communications and Vice-President, Sales, Enterprise and Public Sector, Quebec and Ottawa. "Commuters can now remain connected to what matters most to them for their whole trip."

"Vidéotron is so proud of having contributed in the deployment of this one-of-a-kind network," concluded Jean-François Pruneau, President & CEO, Vidéotron. "From now on, the millions of passengers who take the metro each year will be able to communicate, browse the web and work during their travels. As supporters of a connected life for Quebecers, we want to make people's lives easier and make technology accessible. This project suits this vision to a T."

Source : STM

Photo : Louis-Étienne Doré

In another move designed to facilitate its customers' trips during the pandemic, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is giving customers the ability to check the occupancy levels of its AZUR trains on the Orange line. The information will be displayed on the Métrovision screens located on station platforms on the Orange line, the métro's busiest line, starting today.

"This initiative was put forward in collaboration with Astral Média, our partner responsible for the Métrovision screens. The goal is to improve the customer experience on public transportation. Having access to this information is more pertinent than ever, as public health authorities are constantly reminding us to keep our distance as much as possible," said Philippe Schnobb, Chairman of the STM Board of Directors. Additionally, all Métrovision banners in the network now have an updated interface and a new weather icon.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to highlight the remarkable work of our employees. Innovating during a pandemic is no easy task. It requires not only considerable agility but also a sense of creativity and a constant desire to reinvent ourselves for the greater benefit of our customers," said Luc Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer of the STM.

On Métrovision screens

The STM is able to provide occupancy levels on the Orange line because it is served entirely by AZUR trains. They are the only trains with the necessary electrical components to estimate the number of passengers on board. The information provided will include:

• Four levels of occupancy, like those used on the mobile site
• Up-to-the-minute refreshing and an AI system that accounts for ridership history implemented by STM teams
• Near-real-time estimates for each train car
• An invitation for customers to move toward the front or back of the train, when applicable

On the STM website

Information on Orange line peak periods will also be available on the STM's website, including on its new mobile version, which is already fully deployed and includes other new features, such as:

• Real-time bus occupancy levels
• Optional location settings and network map on the home screen
• Schedules viewable at a glance
• Ability to add favorites (buses or locations)
• Search tool now available on all pages
• Site accessibility for those using screen readers

Bus occupancy levels are also available on our partner apps, Transit and Chrono.

Learn more about the new mobile site

Learn more about occupancy levels

Source : STM

With the announcement of the new lockdown measures that will be in effect beginning January 9 for a minimum of four weeks, including a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) wishes to provide an update to reassure its customers who will be affected by this situation, particularly essential workers. Both the bus and métro networks, as well as the paratransit service, will remain available, and the STM will maintain its current level of service.

"Since the beginning of this crisis, essential workers have been able to count on us for transportation, and the coming weeks will be no exception. It is important for us to maintain a sufficient level of service under these exceptional circumstances to enable compliance with physical distancing requirements. Doing this is helping to make public transit a safe mode of transportation, as no outbreaks have been attributed to the use of our networks," said Luc Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer of the STM.

The STM expects ridership over the next few weeks to be higher than during the first lockdown in the spring, as more business sectors remain open. As such, the STM will not make any major changes to its services, as these have already been optimized to account for both transit needs and operational capacity with the aim of enabling compliance with physical distancing requirements.

Specific ad hoc adjustments may be made, depending on the conditions observed on the ground. Any such changes will be made in the interest of ensuring proper resource management while allowing essential workers to continue making trips under the safest possible conditions. As the situation evolves, customers are invited to use the usual information tools to plan their trips. The STM also wishes to remind customers that they can now see the occupancy levels of the next bus to arrive at a given stop and of métro trains on the Orange line.

Improvements to winter plan for people experiencing homelessness
Because homelessness is a complex social phenomenon involving many civil society stakeholders, the STM is already working closely with the SPVM and its partners in community organizations. These efforts will be redoubled in the coming weeks in order to improve the winter plan. Specific measures will be implemented in light of the 8 p.m. curfew, in particular an increased presence of on-the-ground teams, to continue providing our customers with safe transportation while aiming to allow people experiencing homelessness to access the appropriate resources.

Maintenance of active worksites
The STM's main active worksites will be maintained. This includes accessibility projects at métro stations and the construction of new infrastructure, such as the Bellechasse bus garage. However, work will have to end before 8 p.m. to comply with government policy. No new projects will begin before February 8. Additionally, all health measures will be enforced, particularly keeping the number of people present at a worksite simultaneously to a minimum.

Curfew implementation
With a bus network covering 500 square kilometres and 68 métro stations with 126 entrances buildings and 50 public access points, it would be impossible for STM employees to monitor each customer's reason for making each trip. The STM therefore leaves it to the appropriate authorities to fill this role and call upon the civic duty of all residents to comply with this curfew and the new lockdown measures in place.

"During the day, if you have an essential trip to take by bus, métro or paratransit, take all recommended precautions in place and, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., leave our networks free for those who really need them: the essential workers on the front lines of this pandemic," said Philippe Schnobb, Chairman of the STM Board of Directors.

Source : STM

In its role as project manager and principal contractor of the Blue line extension, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is announcing the implementation of a naming committee, which held its first meeting this week. The committee's members have expertise in a variety of relevant fields and belong to various industries and organizations. Their main task will be to propose names for the future stations on the Blue line extension by summer 2021.

"The members of the committee have no small task ahead, and I would like to thank them for answering the call. Expectations are high, and the names that we select will be written in history. I would also like to note that the committee's appointed members reflect the recommendations of the Public Consultation Commission held last winter in the interest of ensuring proper representation of Montréal's diversity," said Philippe Schnobb, Chair of the STM Board of Directors, who also chairs this committee.

Committee members

• Émilie Thuillier, Mayor of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough and member of the Executive Committee, head of the democratic process, transparency, communications, citizen experience and heritage
• Sonia Djelidi, member of the Conseil interculturel de Montréal
• Anuradha Dugal, president of the Conseil des Montréalaises
• André Dudemaine, founding member of Land InSights, Indigenous cultural consultant
• Yvan Lamonde, historian and member emeritus of the Société historique de Montréal
• Odile Craig, urban planning advisor, Saint-Léonard borough representative
• Jocelyn Jobidon, director of urban development, Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough representative
• Mathieu Perreault, urban planning advisor, Anjou borough representative
• Sonia Vibert, head of the Heritage division, Direction de l'Urbanisme, Ville de Montréal
• Dominic Duford, urban planning advisor for the Heritage division, Direction de l'Urbanisme, Ville de Montréal
• Laurence Parent, member of the STM Board of Directors, Transport adapté customer representative
• Philippe Schnobb, Chair of the STM Board of Directors, committee chair
• Maha Clour, Lead Project Manager, Municipal and Commercial Interfaces, STM
• Benoît Clairoux, Institutional Communications Advisor, STM

General approach for proposals
The committee's first tasks are to establish the criteria for a proposal to be added to the list of potential names and to determine how to proceed with analyzing the proposals and making final decisions. The committee has already decided to make plenty of space for women in the proposal analysis. It has also set an intention to ensure that the final choices represent multicultural and Indigenous realities. The process will also involve the Banque de toponymie municipale, a list of place names continuously updated through citizen suggestions. Selections will then be made by the appropriate governing bodies within the partner organizations of the Blue line extension project.

"In a few months, citizens, customers and employees will be able to find out what names have been chosen for the new stations. With the naming committee beginning its work, we are one step closer to completing the Blue line extension!" said Schnobb.

Source : STM

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will begin installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all its métro stations this week. The devices will be installed next to station fare booths, where they will be easily accessible and visible. A total of 76 AEDs will be required to cover the full métro network and will be installed gradually over a five-week period.

The STM acquired 209 of these defibrillators following a call for tenders for an overall cost of $306,379. An earlier phase of deployment involved installing AEDs in vehicles used by STM incident commanders and security and control officers to ensure optimal coverage of the surface network. The rest of the devices will be installed not only in the métro network but also in several STM workplaces, such as workshops, bus garages and offices.

"The safety of our customers and employees is paramount, and the fulfilment of this project is excellent news. In just a few weeks, no matter where an incident may happen in a métro station, access to a defibrillator will be less than five minutes away. That can make a huge difference to a survival prognosis," said Philippe Schnobb, Chairman of the STM board of directors.

Easy to use
Even in an emergency situation, these user-friendly devices can be used by someone with no medical or first-aid training, if necessary. The selected model, the LifePak CR2 by Physiocontrol, is automated and includes real-time user instructions. The defibrillator analyzes the patient's heart rate and determines whether or not an electric shock needs to be administered, providing spoken and visual instructions to guide the user through the process.

Making a difference when every minute counts
Early use of an AED triples a person's chances of survival, according to the Jacques-de-Champlain Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving resuscitative care and advancing cardiovascular medical research in Quebec. The STM hopes to help minimize the consequences of cardiovascular events, unpredictable though they are, by making AEDs more accessible to its employees and customers, both throughout the STM's transit network and in its workplaces.

Source : STM

The STM will be undertaking preparatory work on the Blue line extension in the Lacordaire/Jean-Talon area and invites citizens, businesses and other concerned individuals to be prepared. 

Starting on May 25, preparatory work on the Blue line extension will be undertaken in the Lacordaire/Jean-Talon area. The work, which will be done during the day, will involve relocating urban public utilities, such as water pipes, sewers and conduits, and underground cabling, to free up the land for the mass excavation work needed to build the new métro station. Although the STM is concerned about limiting the impact of this work, street closures are planned, and the STM is recommending that citizens be well prepared by getting information ahead of time.

Cooperation between the STM and the City of Montréal to mitigate the impacts
The STM project teams, together with the City of Montréal, have made efforts to establish a scenario that will create the least possible impact on traffic despite the nature of the work to be done, which requires excavation up to six metres deep. Although there will be major closures on Jean-Talon Street, the phases of work are being planned to allow Jean-Talon to be partially reopened as soon as possible. Moreover, to limit the impacts for the public, the City of Montréal has decided to move up the upgrading of the water networks in the area of Bourdaloue Street to minimize traffic obstructions. The City has therefore mandated the STM to perform the work as part of the project that will begin shortly.

Details of street closures
The first phase of closures, east of Lacordaire, will last for approximately six months (phase 1), then west of Lacordaire for one or two weeks (start of phase 2). After that, one lane will be open westbound on the other side of Jean-Talon (rest of phase 2). On Lacordaire, at least one lane will remain open at all times in each direction.

Detours will be in effect, marked by appropriate road signage to help direct drivers. Several bus stops on lines 32, 131, 141 and 372 will be cancelled or moved. Citizens are urged to check bus stop signage or the STM's real-time information tools to learn about all the details and plan their trips.

Access to neighbouring businesses will be maintained at all times during the work. In addition, pedestrian passageways will be set up to make it easier to get around.

Get information to be prepared
By visiting the web page dedicated to the project, at http://www.stm.info/en/info/service-updates/stm-works/lacordaire , those who are interested can access a variety of information on the Blue line extension and the preparatory work to come. Using video clips, the STM's experts will present the nature of the work, obstructions and mitigation measures. Citizens will also be able to ask the experts questions online.

A call for citizen participation is also being launched. To ensure a way of connecting with residents on an ongoing basis throughout the work, a good neighbourhood committee made up of citizens, groups and institutions wanting to represent their community with regard to the project is currently being formed. It is possible to apply by completing the online form at http://www.stm.info/en/info/service-updates/stm-works/lacordaire .

To keep merchants affected by the extension project informed and to better understand their needs and concerns with regard to maintaining the area's economic vitality, the STM has set up a business roundtable that includes representatives from the business community, the STM, and the City of Montréal and its boroughs.

These mechanisms will allow the STM to continue the dialogue begun with the community, in particular during the public consultation on the extension held in winter 2020.

Source : STM