STM - Society in motion
Electrifying public transit, now that’s green September 12, 2011
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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
Bus priority February 11, 2009
Montréal already features 18 reserved lanes where buses have priority and traffic flows more smoothly. But why stop there? In cooperation with the city of Montréal, the STM will expand the length of its reserved lanes from 84.2 to more than 350 kilometres, a five-fold increase in corridors where buses have priority.
And that’s not all: a series of measures will be introduced to make our bus network more reliable, on-time and up to 15% to 30% faster to better compete with cars.
These new bus priority measures will make travelling by bus easier:
- Introducing more bus routes with a limited number of stops for faster travel times (such as the 467 Express Saint-Michel)
- Introducing reserved lanes such as those on Saint-Michel, Beaubien and Rosemont roads
- Introducing bus rapid transit services, such as those on Pie-IX and Henri-Bourassa boulevards
- Extending the green light to allow buses through the intersection
- Extending the green light after passengers have boarded
- Introducing a bus priority signal at traffic lights to allow buses to leave before other vehicles such as those on Saint-Michel, Beaubien and Rosemont corridors
- Improved signage for rapid bus services
