STM to ramp up service on Orange, Green line to ease rush-hour crunch

Montreal's public transit agencyis promising to boost the number of Metros running during the morning rush hour on the jam-packed Green and Orange lines.

STMChairPhilippe Schnobbsaid there will also betrains every five minutes on the Green and Orange lines during off-peak hours on weekdays.

The commitment was announced as partof the STM's$1.5-billion annual budgetunveiled Thursday alongside Mayor Valrie Plante.

Overall, there will be a 2.2 per cent increase in Metro service and a 1.6 per cent increase in bus service,Schnobbsaid.

He said additional buses and new Azurtrains will lead to an "improved customer experience."

Other commitments include:

• 125 new air-conditioned hybrid buses to replace aging buses in the STM's fleet.
• elevators at the Jean-Drapeau and Jean-Talon stationsfor people with reduced mobility
• 264 new bus shelters across the network, bringing the total to 1,595.

The STM also released its 10-year, $15.6-billion capital expenditures program, in whichthe agencyupdated its long-term priorities.

Those include:

• The extension of the Blue line.
• 17 new Azurtrains for the Metro's Green line.
• 300 new buses by 2020.
• Elevators in 41 stations by 2025.