Improving the experience for customers: STM prepares pilot project for boarding buses via all doors on the 121 line

MONTRÉAL, March 18, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - From March 21 to June 19, 2016, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will conduct a pilot project, allowing passengers to board buses on the 121 – Sauvé / Côte-Vertu line at both front and rear doors, an initiative that is consistent with STM's focus on improving the transit experience for customers, in its ongoing efforts to persuade people to use public transit more than ever.

The new practice will be in effect every day of the week, from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., when ridership levels and conditions permit. 

As such, customers holding an unlimited-use pass (monthly, weekly, 4-month and annual) can board at the rear doors of all articulated buses operating on the 121 line, with fare control resting on the honour system. Those paying with all other fares that require validation must continue to board the bus via the front door. STM security and control inspectors will be visibly present for the duration of the pilot project to help customers along and oversee the smooth flow of passengers.

Assessing advantages and drawbacks

« With this pilot project, the STM hopes to assess its advantages and drawbacks for the customer experience and operations, and thereby determine whether boarding buses in this manner is feasible in our operating environment. As the pilot project will be conducted on the bus network's most heavily-used line, in the end, it will provide STM with more accurate insight into the actual impact on boarding time and passenger satisfaction levels », explained Philippe Schnobb, chairman of the STM board of directors.

 « We want to shape Montréal into a leading sustainable mobility city, and projects like allowing people to board via all doors help us reach that goal. This pilot project contributes to enriching the offer of public transit service, while improving the daily transit experience for STM customers », added Aref Salem, executive committee member responsible for transportation for the City of Montréal.

« As in other major cities, I am pleased that the STM is trying out this new approach with Montréal transit users, even counting on their cooperation, as fare control for them will rest on the honour system », said Elsie Lefebvre, associate councillor for transportation for Montréal's executive committee.

Facts about the 121 – Sauvé / Côte-Vertu bus line

• 22.5 km long, both directions combined
• 47 eastbound and 51 westbound bus stops
• Travel time varies from 36 to 60 minutes
• Serves two métro stations on Orange line (Sauvé and Côte-Vertu) as well as a train station (Montpellier)
• Bus network's most heavily-used line with 34,106 passenger rides per average weekday
• Articulated buses in use on that route are equipped with five surveillance cameras

SOURCE Société de transport de Montréal

Amélie Régis, Affaires publiques - STM, 514 280-5508, [email protected]