The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) announced that its 31 bus lines with frequent service will be grouped together under the new name of high-frequency lines.

In addition, these 31 lines will be marked in purple to make it easier for customers to find them within the network.

The color will also be used on customer information tools so that the nearest high-frequency line can be found at a glance.

STM Bus Network

The more than 200 lines of the STM bus network cover all of the Island of Montréal, and the 31 high-frequency lines alone account for more than 50% of current ridership.

The STM is working to update the bus stop signs on these lines with the new color. The STM website and the mobile apps are already using it, and network maps will be updated in spring 2024.

“What our customers value most is frequent bus service, which is why we want to make these lines stand out from the rest of the network,” said Éric Alan Caldwell, chair of the STM Board of Directors. “As with the métro, customers using these high-frequency lines don’t need to plan their trip down to the minute. They can just turn up at the corner and know that the next bus will be there in a few minutes. With their high ridership and wide geographic coverage, these high-frequency lines are the backbone of our bus network, providing service where customers need it most. The new distinctive color of these lines will make it easier for customers to find their way, both on the street and when planning their trips online.”

Ridership and Service Improvements

Ridership on the STM bus network is increasing. It is up 14% compared to the same period in 2022 and has reached 78% of pre-pandemic levels. 

In response to this increase, the STM announced in August that it would deliver its budgeted bus service. This represents a 3% increase in level of service compared to fall 2022, with additional departures on approximately 75 bus lines.

There will be more than 30 extra departures on some lines to serve the increasing number of employers requiring staff to return to the office and students returning to the network for the start of the school year.