STM fares going up in the new year

MostMontrealerswho use public transit will pay more for their commute starting in the new year.

As of Jan. 1, the price of a standardSTMmonthly pass will rise from $77 to $79.50.

A weekly pass will go up from $23.75 to $24.50.

A ticket to get on the 747 bus from downtown Montreal to the airport will go up a dollar from $9 to $10.

For students and seniors,the price of amonthly passwill go from $45 to $47.50.

The price of a single fare remains unchanged at $3.

Vice-chair of theSTMMarvinRotrandsays Montrealers are still gettinga good deal.

"We will remain among the lowest fares in North America and the lowest of the major networks in Quebec,"Rotrandsaid.

STMofficials say the fare hikes are necessary to make up for a $16-million budget shortfall.

But the opposition partyProjetMontralisworried the hikes are too significant, and will dissuadeMontrealersfrom using public transit.

It's a little bit too much for us. In our opinion, we should not raiseSTMfees higher than inflation,"saidProjetMontralcouncillor CraigSauv.

Service cuts too?

STM officials say they still dont know how much money the public transit corporation will get from the city of Montreal the city has delayed releasing its 2014 budget until February.

Rotrand says if the STM doesn't get the increase it asked for, it may have to cut services in addition to increasing its fees.