STM - Society in motion
In October 2010, the STM awarded a contract to the Bombardier-Alstom Consortium to replace 468 métro cars.
The model car has travelled a long way before its public introduction. This full-size model is fully representative of its interior layout and exterior design.
Delivery of the new cars in 2014 will mark a historic moment for the STM and all Montrealers.
Here is a preview !
We have already had the opportunity to talk about electrifying the STM bus network, the 2020 Strategic Plan and, finally, possible sources of funding to ensure public transit’s growth.
To maintain or to develop?
There are currently for $23 billion of projects slated for Montréal. Tramways, métro extensions, tram-train, skytrain, a commuter train for the West Island, a light-rail system for the South Shore, ferry shuttle, aerial tram…. A number of different projects in all !
All the while, we must maintain and repair our infrastructure, replace older buses and métro cars. We are preparing for the future by building new, performance-driven transit systems, by extending the métro, increasing our bus fleet, deploying more transit priority measures, and more. We know you want cleaner buses, running more often and on time, extended hours of service, more courtesy from employees and information in real-time…
For the STM alone, the 2020 Strategic Plan calls for overall investments of $11.5 billions for bus, métro and tramway projects, with $6.2 billions for asset maintenance, $3.7 billions for transit development and $1.6 billions for métro extensions.
We must choose our priorities
It is becoming increasingly clear that transit authorities must establish a list of priorities, more than just a shopping list, regarding major projects for public transit. We cannot do everything, everywhere, all at the same time.
The STM already presented a list of priorities :
| Asset Maintenance | Optimisation and development | ||||
| Priority | Project | Cost ($ M) | Priority | Project | Cost ($ M) |
| 1 | Replacement of 342 MR-63 métro cars | 1 513 | 8 | Additional métro cars | 557 |
| 2 | Modification of the MPM-10 workshops | 262 | 9 | Bus infrastructure (new transport centre) | 278 |
| 3 | Réno-Systèmes Program (Phase 2) | 122 | 10 | Bus purchase | 565 |
| 4 | Réno-Systèmes Program (Phase 3 & 4) | 995 | 11 | Transit priority measures | 153 |
| 5 | Renewal of bus fleet | 717 | 13 | Modification of the MR-73 workshops | 654 |
| 6 | Berri-UQAM construction work | 86 | 16 | Henri-Bourrassa BRT (Bus rapid transit) | 307 |
| 7 | Réno-Infrastructures Métro (Phase 1 & 2) | 500 | 17 | Métro extensions | 1 610 |
| 12 | Replacement of the MR-73 métro cars | 917 | 18 | Tramway (Downtown – Côte-des-Neiges) | 1 122 |
| 14 | iBus Project | 199 | 19 | Other projects | 40 |
| 15 | Bus infrastructure maintenance (St-Denis and Crémazie) | 444 | |||
| 20 | Other projects | 443 | |||
| Total by category : 6 198 | Total by category : 5 286 | ||||
But some other major projects are planned:
- Trains: Replacement of rolling stock, garages and maintenance shops: $ 1 Billion
- “Train de l’Est” (East Train): $ 700 Millions
- Pie-IX BRT (bus rapid transit): $ 300 Millions
- Various customer service improvements : $ 500 Millions
- “Train de l’Ouest” (West Train) and AMT planification: $ 1.4 Billions
- Light-rail system for the South Shore : $ 1.5 Billions $
- Sky-Train (shuttle from the airport to downtown) : $ 700 Millions to $ 1 Billion
What do you think? I want to hear from you!
Does the STM’s list of priorities seem adequate? What comes first? If we don’t have the money for all of the above, what would you spend it on? Considering their costs and benefits, which are the best options for expanding our services and meeting the growing needs of Montrealers in terms of mobility?
You are welcome to ask your questions or send in your comments. I’ll answer them as they come in during the public activity on June 14, from 9 AM till noon.
The next generation of métro cars is indeed good news for all Montrealers and the STM is pleased to invite you to visit the model car on display from June 8 at Berri-UQAM station on the Angrignon platform.
AZUR
Unveiling the Montréal métro’s new car
If you see me smiling like this, it’s because I’m aboard the full-scale model for our new métro cars, that now have the name AZUR. Today is AZUR’s exclusive public unveiling. The car is gorgeous: you took part in choosing its exterior look, its aesthetics, if you like, and its interior is also worth seeing, with its lighting and seats.
For this reason, we decided to set up and display this model car in Berri-UQAM station, on the Angrignon platform on the Green line, starting Friday, June 8, so that you can come visit it. I’m extending this invitation to everyone, you won’t be disappointed.
And if you know anyone who has never taken the metro… or someone who doesn’t like public transit too much, bring them with you, you’ll see, it’s a beautiful metro car.
It should convince them to join our Society in Motion.
Thanks !
Did you know it? The STM is using full-scale models to validate several aspects of the new MPM-10 métro cars. Some were used to ensure that the proposed layouts meet the needs of future users. One of them, created during the preliminary concept stage that ended in the summer of 2011, reflects the work accomplished to date.
Furthermore, the full-scale model of the future metro cars will soon be on display…
Verbatim : First scale models of future métro cars
Speaker 1 : Mario Beausoleil, Project Director, STM
Hello, my name is Mario Beausoleil, and I am the project director, in charge of the operational integration of the new MPM-10 métro railcars at the STM
Today, I’ll present the first of a series of models depicting the interior layout of the new métro we’re scheduled to receive in 2013-2014. Allow me to introduce Christian Roy, industrial designer for Labbé design, responsible for the industrial design of the new métro cars for the consortium
Speaker 2 : Christian Roy, industrial designer, Labbé design
Here is the layout for the train’s end cars. From a universal access perspective, we wanted to create an area in which it’s easy for persons with limited mobility to manœuvre, while still being inviting for all Montréal metro users. To that end, we’ve installed lower-back support bars that people can comfortably lean against. As for poles to hold onto, we’ve chosen vertical poles attached to each passenger seat and doubled them to give passengers a better grasp. And by having these poles only go halfway to the ceiling, it results in a more inviting, open space.
Another particular detail that we added were arm supports that give more shoulder space, more comfort for passengers, while freeing up the aisle, for greater passenger capacity. We’ve also pushed up the ceiling’s lateral sections and added indirect lighting. The overall effect is that of an open, inviting, and luminous space.
Speaker 1
The spot where I’m standing right now doesn’t exist in our current métro cars. It’s called an inter-circulation module. The new métro cars are being built with these modules to allow passengers to move from one car to another, and increase overall capacity. Behind me, we can see the famous doors, three on each side of a metro car, that are really much wider than the ones we have today. Wider doors mean that entering and exiting the cars is faster, resulting in a more fluid flow of people.
The new cars will also feature dynamic display screens for advertising. We’ll no longer have any wall supports for print ads. All ads will appear on LCD screens. As for the electronic display screens used to announce upcoming stations, they will be relocated at the extremity of each car, and show both the next stop and final terminus destination. They will also serve to inform passengers of any service disruptions which, we hope, will be few and far between.
We’ll see you again when we reach the next phase of development with the MPM-10 métro railcars.
