Montreal Metro cars need a $10 billion replacement plan: STM

Mayor Valerie Plante says badly needed upgrades to the Metro are a chance to invest in local companies.

For nearly a half century, MR-73 trains have been on the rails of Montreal’s Metro system.

Their lifespan, however, is running out.

The Montreal public transit authority (STM) says the trains have between 10 and 12 years left.

“They would be, at that point, it will be the oldest metro in the world,” said STM chair Eric Alan Caldwell.

With tariff threats from the U.S., Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said that this is a chance for the province to invest in local businesses.

She says new Metro cars could be built in La Pocatière, Que.

“To push as much as possible, that those trains will continue to be done in La Pocatière,” said Plante. “Here in Quebec, where we have families and Quebecers counting on those great jobs.”

The Metro still uses 47 of the MR-73 trains. The problem is that they travel far less before breaking down compared to the Azur trains that were introduced in 2016.

The city is asking Quebec for $40 million to create a project bureau to conduct studies and choose the best trains.

“To make sure we make the right choices, and some of those choice will be, of course, to keep what’s good of the Azur,” said Caldwell. “Some other choice might be how can we improve it?”

Montreal says the project is essential to improving the Metro, and it wants to jump on board.

In a statement, Quebec Transport Minister Genevieve Guilbault’s office said she met with the STM on Tuesday.

“The analysis of all infrastructure needs for the transport sector is currently underway,” the statement reads. “The selected infrastructure projects will be included in the next [Infrastructure Plan].”

Public transport advocacy group Trajectoire Quebec supports the idea of building new Metro cars because breakdowns have some people considering taking their cars.

Adapting the network and buying new trains will cost between $8-10 billion and will likely take more than a decade to complete.

The STM wants the new trains on the tracks by 2036.