Transit: no free ride after blizzards
It had been proposed to make public transit free the day after major snowstorms, not only in Montreal but throughout the agglom, but the idea has been turned down.
Update: We had a really interesting discussion when this was first proposed back in February.
Daniel 10:24 on 2019-10-10 Permalink
This is disappointing. What would be the harm in giving it a try? I mean, yes it would cost money. But it seems like a good thing to try for at least one winter. Make it clear from the outset that it’s a test program and the results would determine its future.
Chris 15:43 on 2019-10-10 Permalink
One downside I can think of is that such days are already the most packed and delayed. Free price means increased use, so it could be even worsened. But if they added buses that could compensate.
Kate 09:12 on 2019-10-11 Permalink
Chris, that was one of the points raised last time. Free transit doesn’t help the regular user, and risks bogging down the transit system with unaccustomed passengers.
Bill Binns 11:37 on 2019-10-11 Permalink
Does anyone seriously believe that it’s the 3 dollar fare that’s keeping people from using public transit in a snowstorm? Isn’t it far more likely it’s the certain knowledge that public transit will be jam-packed beyond capacity and that buses will be seriously late or not arrive at all (while you stand in that Blizzard freezing your ass off waiting) that leads to the decision to drive?
If public transport worked as it should, the city could simply declare a weather emergency and ban all private vehicles from the road.
Kate 13:02 on 2019-10-11 Permalink
“As it should” is not really fair. Buses are vehicles, and just as subject to road conditions and difficulties as any others. We’ve all seen the photo of the bendy bus that lost its back end during a storm and the video of buses and other vehicles sliding helplessly down an icy Beaver Hall Hill, and there was at least one day last winter when routes with steep hills were cut short because of ice. There’s no amount of magic that can cope when the worst of winter hits, and it isn’t the fault of the city or the STM.
Joey 17:01 on 2019-10-11 Permalink
Maybe “as it should” is meant by Bill to mean that public transit should be comprehensive enough to accommodate a full suite of users plus every Montrealer who drives in the city – on basically zero notice and in terrible weather conditions. Now, it would be great if our transit system were that good, but come on.