Montreal’s STM Is Launching New Frequent Bus Lines — Here’s What You Need To Know, Life in canada

That sinking feeling of missing a bus and enduring a seemingly endless wait is all too familiar. But Montreal’s STM is looking to remedy that frustration with more frequent bus lines.

New routes will operate with a predictability more associated with the metro than buses. The wait between buses on frequent lines will last between two and 12 minutes. For the average commuter, that means a shift away from strict travel plans and toward a more flexible approach.

“Just like on the metro, you won’t need to plan your trip down to the minute on these frequent lines. All you have to do is turn up around the corner, knowing that the next crossing will be in the next few minutes,” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante commented on the initiative.

A map of the new frequent lines in Montreal.Courtesy of the STM.

Turn up, take off

More than half of bus travel in greater Montreal is now on frequent lines and scheduled on the city’s busiest routes, according to the STM. The faster service comes in two categories:

• All Day Frequent Lines: These cover nine primary routes, ensuring that the pulse of the city remains uninterrupted from dawn until dusk. they encompass routes like Beaubien, Sherbrooke, and Saint-Michel, catering to the heavy traffic along the city’s busiest corridors.
• Peak Period Frequent Lines: A more extensive network of 22 routes, these buses cater specifically to the rush hours of the morning and evening, ensuring that Montreal’s workforce and students get to their destinations timely. They cover vital routes like Lacordaire, Papineau, and Avenue-du-Parc.

The STM’s frequent lines.Courtesy of the STM.

On weekdays, the all-day frequent “24 Sherbrooke” line, connecting metro stations from Guy-Concordia to Villa-Maria, promises a bus almost every few minutes between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Those who depend on peak-hour transit can rely on lines like “45 Papineau”, minimizing wait times during the city’s most traffic-heavy hours.

For those travelling between métro stations Beaubien and Honoré-Beaugrand, the all-day frequent line “18 Beaubien” is your go-to. For peak-hour commuters, the “32 Lacordaire” between Cadillac metro station is available.

Purple is the colour of convenience

The branding for these lines is purple, making them easily identifiable for commuters. Whether you’re looking through the STM website, glancing at mobile transit apps, or looking at bus signs, the shade is hard to miss.

A full purple panel means an all-day frequent line, while a white sign framed in purple indicates a peak hour line.

The full purple panel on a bus sign shows all-day frequency. Right: A purple outline means peak-time only frequency.Courtesy of the STM.

Not just buses

The STM hasn’t just focussed on frequency. The lines are connected to the Montreal metro, REM, and train networks, ensuring that switching from one mode of transport to another is seamless. With reserved lanes to maintain regularity and speed, the buses on frequent lines dodge the city’s infamous traffic bottlenecks, getting commuters to their destinations faster.

For those who are still navigating the new system, the STM has digital tools to help. Real-time updates on bus networks, route calculators, and timely notifications about any disruptions are available at the fingertips via various mobile applications and the STM website. For those who prefer the good old-fashioned way, bus schedules are just a text message away.

With all new initiatives, there’s still a degree of uncertainty. The success of the frequent lines will likely hinge on their ability to deliver on their promises. Time will tell if the purple promise will deliver consistent reliability. For now, Montrealers have a fresh transit option to explore.

Here’s the breakdown of the STM’s new frequent lines and where they operate: