STM hiking fares for monthly pass

The STM board approved a price hike for monthly fares starting in 2013.

The STM plans to increase fares for monthly passes, and also plans to introduce a new pricing option for people taking public transit on weekends.

As CTV Montreal reported earlier this week, the Societe de Transport de Montreal is proposing hiking the price of a monthly pass to $77.75, up from the current $75.50.

In the past ten years, the price of a monthly pass has steadily climbed from $50 in 2002, to $65 in 2007. In 2010, the price was hiked to $70 per month.

The prices for a regular ticket and return ticket will stay the same, at $3 and $5.50 respectively.

The night ticket, offering unlimited travel from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m., is also fixed at $4.

The STM is introducing a new weekend pass option, that will be in effect from 6 p.m Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. That will cost $12, while the price for the standard 3-day pass increases to $18.

More services coming

Marvin Rotrand, vice-chair of the STM, says riders can expect to see several improvements in the year to come, including more service on some bus routes and new hybrid buses.

"There will be more bus lanes. There will be more priority signals where buses go through busy intersections," said Rotrand.

"There will be more real-time information that people will be able to access on their smartphones."

The agency also expects to add 135 million riders in the next seven years.

The board of the STM approved the budget at Friday's meeting, however the Aggolmeration Council for the island of Montreal still has to accept this budget before it comes into effect.

Price changes for 2013

For fare changes to discount rates, click here (French, PDF)