Articles inside « Chairman says » category

Fully committed to the fight against global warming, the STM will convert its entire surface transport network to electricity by 2025, as outlined in its 2020 Strategic Plan.

Michel Labrecque live Electrifying public transit, september 15, 9 a.m to noon

Electrification of Montréal’s public transit network will be carried out in phases. Starting in 2012, the STM will purchase hybrid diesel-electric buses only, gradually moving away from diesel drives. Over time, the bus fleet will consume less fuel and emit less greenhouse gases.

The STM will also test electric buses that use rechargeable batteries and become an expert in terms of « rapid charging ». The technology means buses can recharge their batteries at each extremity of a given route or along the way. With rapid charging batteries, the 100% electric propulsion mode runs silently and produces zero GHG emissions. Working with Hydro-Québec, the STM will conduct a demonstration project for this technology as early as in 2011.

Moreover, through its partnership with the City of Montréal and Hydro-Québec, the STM plans on deploying a limited trolleybus network to better assess that transportation mode. The trolleybus has a proven track record, while having a positive impact on the environment, and would be right at home along the city’s busy traffic arteries. Deploying a trolleybus route on Saint-Michel boulevard, for example, could lower GHG emissions by some 2500 tons a year.

Electrifying public transportation is 100% good news for the environment.

For more information:

Ministère des Transports du Québec

Association du transport urbain du Québec (French only)

Plan d’action 2011-2020 sur les véhicules électriques (French only)

Plan stratégique 2020 de la STM (French only)

The STM calls for tenders to acquire mid-size electric buses

The STM’s 2020 Strategic Plan is ambitious and in line with your needs. Today, Mr. Labrecque will answer any and all questions you may have about the plan’s underlying issues.

In order to ensure that everyone receives an answer and ensure the discussion runs smoothly, we ask that you:

• submit short questions so that everyone can have their question answered
• keep in mind the basic rules for polite and cordial discussions
• refresh your browser to regularly update web content
• publish your comment in the ‘Chairman Says’ space and not in other posts on this blog

Clearly, this forum cannot be used to answer questions about daily operations. For any comment or complaint about service, please fill out the form at  http://www.stm.info/comment/index.htm

Here, you can be sure we will be talking about our vision; we cannot be specific, for example, about which service improvements will be made on a given bus line.

I promise to answer all questions you will ask me about this strategic vision. However, it is possible that I may not have an immediate answer to certain questions. Rest assured that I will send you an answer as soon as possible.

Thank you for taking part in our Society in Motion !

Making Montréal an outstanding city in North America for public and active transportation is the challenge facing our society !

The STM 2020 Strategic Plan aims for a 40% growth in ridership over 10 years. Such  performance will rest on an enhanced client experience regarding frequency, speed,  punctuality and comfort, on major investments to maintain critical assets, as well as on strategic investments related to an increased offer of service, in addition to diversified and electrified modes of transportation.

Along with a series of measures designed to reduce single car use planned by the city of Montreal, this concerted approach will enable the STM to reach 540 million passenger rides annually by 2020, while significantly reducing society’s reliance on cars. Moreover, the plan meets the GHG reduction targets of 20% and 30% (with 1990 as the reference year) respectively set by the Québec government and the city of Montreal.

An overview of the 2020 Strategic Plan is now available on the STM website (French only). To find out more, click here