STM - Society in motion
The first phase of the waste management plan’s implementation was carried out in 15 métro stations, from Frontenac to Atwater on the Green line, with the exception of Berri-UQAM, and from Champ-de-Mars to Georges-Vanier on the Orange line.
The second phase is already started in a dozen other stations, from Préfontaine to Honoré-Beaugrand on the Green line. Implementation of the plan in these other stations will take until early 2012.
In the wake of Québec’s Residual Materials Management Policy and of the Montréal Community Sustainable Development Plan 2010-2015, the STM followed suit by implementing its own waste management plan (PGMR) throughout the métro. The plan calls for gradually removing the 245 paper collection bins and 1 600 wall-mounted trash cans along passenger platforms and mostly replacing them with “islands” featuring two sections (trash and recycling) installed mainly at a station’s entrance/exit and along mezzanines.
Adhering to the 3RV principle of Reducing, Reusing, Recycling and Value-adding, some 1 000 of the 1 600 trash cans removed from platform walls will be reused to produce the new islands, thus preventing any more raw materials or energy from being used. This way, the trash cans, that were an integral part of the original metro station design, get a second lease on life. Furthermore, their stainless steel casing has proven durable over time.
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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
Voix off:
Next destination, electrification !
Michel Labrecque: We are celebrating 150 years of public transportation in Montréal, and the reason I am mentioning this is because, for years, we’ve had electric means of transportation in Montréal. Once, we had nearly 500 km of tracks for tramways running on electricity, we had trolleybuses in the 50s and 60s, and we dismantled everything. Big mistake ! In 1966, we introduced another electric mode of transportation, very efficient, and that was the métro. About two-thirds of all STM rides are taken by métro, so entirely powered by electricity. The Government of Québec has just announced a major program for electrifying all transportation over the next few years. Of course, that means turning to electric cars, but also electric public transit. So, slowly but surely, you will be seeing STM buses now running on diesel being replaced by a fleet of diesel-electric, hybrid buses. Starting now, we’ll be initiating pilot projects with other transit companies, particularly with Laval and Longueuil, or we’ll be testing electric buses with overhead wires, that’s how you supply buses or trolleys with electricity, or testing boost charging, where a bus arrives at a stop and quickly recharges its electrical supply, or buses running on batteries. They go back to the garage once or twice a day, where robots swap the bus batteries for fully charged ones before being sent back on the road. For the STM, it’s an exciting project, and I would like to hear what you have to say. We have a plan for 2020, it’s all part of this plan. The Chairman has a blog, that’s me, so you can share your opinions with me, what you think of all this. We are talking about major investments here, but I think that for Québec’s environment and economy, it’s the right choice. That’s what we’ll be blogging about, so you can tell me what you think. Thanks again and so long !
You can now ride public transit every night aboard one of 23 bus lines, as a number of service improvements were made to the night network.
Three new bus routes were established: in the east end, the 353 – Lacordaire / Maurice-Duplessis; in the west end, the 354 – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue / Centre-ville and the 376 – Pierrefonds / Centre-ville.
For faster and more efficient transportation, night buses run more often between Atwater and Frontenac metro stations, as the night network was redesigned to meet the specific needs of customers travelling in the downtown area.
Moreover, nine existing bus lines are extended for improved commuting, from east to west, north to south, and within the central part of the island. Buses run more frequently, while the number of transfers is now considerably lower, making your transit rides both faster and safer.
Listen carefully for a radio ad campaign featuring our message about the advantages of the night bus, broadcast by major French and English-speaking radio stations.Listen there: STM-Night time service
Once your night shift is over, ride the 353, 354, 355… or any other one in the 3-5-0…
