AZUR makes history as it welcomes first passengers

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 7, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Thanks to satisfactory results obtained from qualification testing performed over the past few months, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) introduced an AZUR train into passenger service on the Orange line today, with Jacques Daoust, Québec Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal, Philippe Schnobb, Chairman of the STM Board of Directors, Luc Tremblay, STM Chief Executive Officer, along with Raymond Bachant, President of Bombardier Transportation – Americas, and Angelo Guercioni, President, Alstom Transport in attendance.

« The Montréal métro plays a critical part in the electrification of public transportation, as it helps us toward reaching our goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These new AZUR cars represent major economic benefits for Québec, while contributing to a significant improvement in the service currently provided to transit users. Today, we are witnessing the most important public transit project developed in Québec these past years becoming a reality », declared Jacques Daoust, Québec Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification.

« We are very proud to take part in introducing AZUR métro cars into service today. This historic event will have a major, positive impact on everyone using our well-established public transit network. Once again, Montréal is demonstrating that it is a world leader in sustainable mobility. Indeed, I enthusiastically invite all Montrealers to come ride aboard the new AZUR cars », added Mr. Coderre.

« Deploying an AZUR train in passenger service is not only a highly-anticipated milestone, but also an historical moment for Montréal and the STM, as it also coincides with the métro's 50th anniversary. It also represents a momentous day for customers, as they will see and feel a marked improvement in their day-to-day experience with more comfortable and fluid transit rides. This step underscores the sustained efforts by all our partners, employees and project bureau staff during these last years », declared Mr. Schnobb.

On behalf of the Bombardier-Alstom Consortium, Raymond Bachant, President of Bombardier Transportation – Americas, stated that « We wish to congratulate our customer, the Société de transport de Montréal, with whom we inaugurated today the AZUR métro cars. The Bombardier-Alstom Consortium and its hundred or so Québec-based suppliers have spared no efforts in carrying out this project and helping shape the City's vision: offering Montrealers the cutting-edge métro cars that will provide STM passengers with reliable, comfortable and rapid service to meet the high expectations of Québec's metropolis ».

Sequence of next steps
Starting today, the STM will continue testing the train in passenger service for a minimum 61 days. In an effort to curb the risk and impact of service disruptions, a dedicated crew will continue to monitor the train at all time for the slightest fluctuations in its systems, including propulsion, braking, passenger doors, ventilation, train control. Meanwhile, a second AZUR train not being operated with passengers will continue with qualification testing on the Green, Yellow and Blue lines.

According to the project schedule, delivery of the remaining 51 trains can begin after testing and continue until 2018. 

Take part in the conversation
Customers, bloggers, journalists and public transit enthusiasts are invited to tag their posts about AZUR on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media platforms using hashtag #AZURstm. Share your experience, your pictures and learn more about this historic project.

SOURCE Société de transport de Montréal

Mélissa Turgeon, Attachée de presse, Cabinet du ministre des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports, Téléphone : [phone]; Amélie Régis, Société de transport de Montréal, Téléphone : [phone], [email protected]; Catherine Maurice, Attachée de presse, Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif, [phone], [email protected]; Marc-André Lefebvre, Bombardier Transport, Communications et Relations publiques - Canada, Téléphone : [phone], [email protected]; Michelle Stein, Alstom Transport, Téléphone : [phone], [email protected]