Bus drivers are among the city's most unsung heroes, despite serving a crucial role in connecting commuters to their work, loved ones, errands and escapades. As their grateful riders, we sit in the drivers' massive, ambling vehicles for but a brief moment. But in that time, much can happen, from the heartwarming (aww, that baby smiled at me!) to the deeply infuriating (that young adult is taking up five people's worth of space and I just want to RELAX).We've all been the bad guy on the bus at least once in our lives unless you're some kind of straightedge beacon of light and love who never forgets to give up their seat. Good for you, but the rest of us need a gentle reminder of the expectations in the social contract we sign every time we tap an OPUS card against those newfangled fare checkers.
Montreal is set to add new reserved bus lanes to parts of four major thoroughfares, adding to its extensive network of public transit corridors. The city already claims to have the most kilometres of bus-only lanes on the continent.
Montrealers will have to pay a bit more for transit rides starting this summer. The regional transit authority, the ARTM, announced fare increases by a weighted average of 3% will take effect July 1. That means slightly higher prices for many Montreal metro and bus passes.
Starting July 1, 2023, the metro, bus, exo train and paratransit networks will be free for people age 65 and older on Montreal Island. As of April 19, qualifying riders can load their OPUS cards with the free fares, which will start working in July.
So you've run out of local walks and already visited the neighbourhood surrounding just about every metro station. Fear not! Below are six public transit itineraries for day trips to parks across Montreal Island.