STM releases surprises along with 2016 budget

Montreal's publictransit authority will freeze faresfor at least the first half of 2016, according to the new budget tabled on Thursday.

Right now, a monthly OPUS card is $82. For students and seniors, that drops to $49.25.

A single regular fare is $3.25, and a reduced fare is $2.25.

The single fares have been more stable over recentyears, while the monthly bus and Metro passes have gone up steadilysince at least 2008, according to information compiled by the Montreal blog,Fagstein.

Air-conditioned buses

Apart fromthe fare freeze, the STM is also planning a pilot project that allows people to board "accordion" buses from the rear doors.Those with passes can do so using the honour system.

Those who have to paywill still have to enter through the front door.

It also plans to buy 20 air-conditioned buses.

The new $1.5-billion budget is up only slightly from last year's $1.4-billion budget.

The budget report credits tight management forthe minimal increase in projected spending.

Highlights of the 2016budget:

• A strategic shift toward improving customer experiences.
• The addition of 45,000 hours ofbus service.
• The STM is planning to buy 27 hybrid buses (including 20 air-conditioned ones.)
• The addition of 1.3 million car-kilometres to the Metro service.
• New elevators at Snowdon and Rosemont Metro stations will come into use.
• An investment of $175 million in Rno-Infrastructures and Rno-Systmes programs toimprove the city's Metro stations.

Read the whole budget (in French) here.