(Montreal) Public transit passes changed this Friday for many users in the Montreal area, with the entry into force of the second phase of the major fare overhaul of the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) .
Posted at 7:47 p.m.
The new grid is now based on four zones: the Montréal agglomeration (A), Laval and the Longueuil agglomeration (B), as well as the north and south rims (C and D).
The most important change comes from the fact that users will no longer have to pay each time they use a different mode of transport in the same area. For example, in Montreal, users will be able to switch at their convenience between the bus, metro, train and the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), when it comes into service.
Within the same zone, the new “All modes” passes will allow users to easily transit between the different services. For people who only use the bus, tickets will also be offered to them at a lower cost.
Where users need to be vigilant is when moving from one area to another. When traveling between Laval and Montreal, for example, make sure you have a pass that covers both zones A and B. The same situation applies for a trip between Longueuil and Montreal.
If the unit fare within the same zone remains at $3.50, the cost of a passage between zones A and B increases to $5.25. This change was denounced by users who are used to taking the metro from the Laval and Longueuil stations, which are directly affected by this change.
However, the ARTM defended itself by recalling that this new pricing will prevent people from paying for a bus ticket with a transport company, then a metro ticket.
Monthly or occasional pass options – packages of a few titles or unlimited targeted periods – are still available.
Ultimately, the ARTM argues that users will have access to more options at, often, a similar or lower cost.
With the indexation of its tariff schedule, the ARTM estimates that its tariff revenues will increase by 2% on average.