Pigheadedness Makes us Uncomfortable

Every summer, the topic comes up: why don't we have AC on Montreal's public transit. The basic answer is that our pigheaded mayor, Gérald Tremblay insists that it's too expensive and it decreases fuel efficiency, thereby harming the environment. Yet, poll any transit rider and ask them if they would pay more for air conditioning and they will say yes. Who really wants to take a hot crowded bus? Nobody. AC would attract more transit riders and that's why Montreal should catch up to the standard being adopted around the world. Montreal needs comfortable and cool Metros and buses.

MONTREAL - If you rode a bus or métro in Montreal on Thursday, chances are you arrived at your destination hot, damp – and more than a bit cranky.
The searing temperatures on the Société de transport de Montréal’s transit network are a reality of life in this city.

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Montreal+m%c3%a9tro+stations+become+underground+saunas/5141074/story.html#ixzz1SqNv4AwH

The Coca-Cola Metro?

The STM has said it will open bidding on sponsoring metro lines shortly. Some people have said that there is already enough advertising in the metro. However, the STM is always running a deficit year to year and the bill is always paid by taxpayers. With more advertising, will come more money that can be spent on better service, having a cellular network underground and screen with real-time information on the next departure. This is also the area in which a foreign analysis of our metro said we had to work on: putting more advertising in the metros. I would stop short of renaming whole metro lines and stations, but the city's proposal sounds like a good idea. I would also like to see more metro cars and buses with full-body advertising.

Montreal’s métro lines will be not be renamed after corporations or change their colours, and stations will not be plastered with advertising if the Société de transport de Montréal allows the private sector to “sponsor” lines, the STM said Tuesday.

“It will have to be discreet or we won’t do it,” STM executive director Yves Devin told reporters.

Read more at the Montreal Gazette.

Related articles

• Montreal puts out call for subway line sponsorship (theglobeandmail.com)
• Transit Report Card: Montreal (seattletransitblog.com)