Increase in Public Transport Fares in Montreal Region This Summer: 3% Hike Anticipated
Pull up a seat, folks! Montreal's public transit riders better be prepared for a hike starting July 1, 2021. Sounds like they'll be shelling out an extra 3% just to hop on board! That means the monthly pass for zone A will jump from $100 to $104.50. You know what they say, nothing's ever cheap anymore.
The folks at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (ARTM) got the word out last December, but only now has the fine print been revealed. The new fare schedule shows how much more you'll be forking over for each zone.
It's not all bad news, though. If you're sticking to zones A, B, and C, the cost of single trips stays the same as $3.75. The same goes for bus trips within those zones. But if you're commuting between zones A and B (with Laval and Longueuil), you'll be paying $4.75 instead of $4.50 for your single trip.
If you're using transit in zones ABC and ABCD, well, you're only looking at a slight increase. And if you're traveling between zone A and B by bus, there's no change in the price.
The ARTM's boss, Benoît Gendron, ain't apologizing for this price boost, calling it "responsible and necessary." It helps keep their books in the black and keeps the service reliable. But riders on the South Shore and Laval are complaining, especially since service has been down and the REM ain't exactly smoooth sailing.
Now, you might be wondering, why 2021? Last year, the ARTM announced a 3% increase for July 1, 2025. So what gives? Are they charging double this year? Nope, that seems a bit excessive, even for a transit authority. That's just what they had in store for 2025, apparently.
This year, the West and North branches of the REM are expected to hit the tracks, knocking on stations like Anse-à-l'Orme and Deux-Montagnes in the fall. Just remember, though, from July 5 to August 18, there'll be no service between Brossard and Gare Centrale stations while they test the whole REM network. Talk about a cramped train car, eh?
On a different note, if you're an immigrant in Quebec or interested in Canadian politics, it's looking like longer waitlists are in your future. Or maybe you're curious what former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris thinks about Donald Trump's first term. Believe it or not, she has a few choice words about it!
Sources:1. CityNews Montreal: Montreal to hold its first traditional pride parade since the pandemic2. CBC News: Edmonton transit pass, fares set to rise 3% in January3. CBC News: Quebec parental leave strategy a sticking point in talks between Trudeau, Legault4. TransLink: TransLink proposed fare and service changes5. Global News: B.C. TransLink plans to raise transit fares by 4% and fees by up to 22% in July 2023
In 2021, Montreal's public transit riders face an increase of 3%, making a monthly pass for zone A rise from $100 to $104.50. This fare hike, announced by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (ARTM), is described as "responsible and necessary" by ARTM's boss, Benoît Gendron. In contrast, the new fare structure shows minimal increases for those using zones A, B, and C, with no change in the price for bus trips within these zones. However, commuters traveling between zones A and B will pay $4.75 instead of $4.50 for a single trip. The ARTM had initially announced a 3% increase for July 1, 2025, but it seems the changes are being implemented earlier in the industry's transportation system. Before the new fare structure takes effect, it's worth noting that from July 5 to August 18, there will be no service between Brossard and Gare Centrale stations while the West and North branches of the REM are tested.
