The mayors of Greater Montreal have been recommended to merge the region’s public transport network to save money, according to a report by the Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton (RCGT) firm.
In the report, the firm noted that users would benefit from having all bus lines and metros managed by the same entity/company.
RCGT believes that this transition would make it possible to “generate profits quickly and better manage change,” because the current division “causes an inefficient allocation of funding.”
The report was released in April and is currently being analyzed by the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM).
The report states that it could save around $250 million if they were to optimize certain operations such as grouping together garages and customer service.
Another recommendation was the possibility of cancelling certain night buses that are “rarely used” in exchange for an on-demand service.
Also, RCGT claims that there are “notable disparities” among the operators.
Currently, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), the Société de transport de Laval (STL), the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) and exo operate buses, metros, and trains but some of their services would “benefit” by being merged.
For example, bus garages could be shared, especially with electric vehicles which require charging.
These recommendations may be presented at a meeting on Friday between the Transport Minster and the Greater Montreal mayors.