CTV News Montreal

Updated: Wed Nov. 18 2009 10:49:57 AM

ctvmontreal.ca

Montreal's regional commuter-rail agency is promising to do better this winter.

Last winter, Agence Metropolitaine de Transport users faced repeated delays due to mechanical and other weather-related problems.

The AMT said it's rolling out new double-decker cars this winter to hold more passengers on its Dorion-Rigaud line.

It has also leased newer locomotives, repaired doors so they won't freeze shut and installed heaters on switches.

The agency admits none of this will prevent all delays but it's also installing technology to improve communication with passengers.

Comments are now closed for this story

Chris from Vaudreuil
Yeah, we'll see how long the AMT's promises hold up to users of the Dorion-Rigaud line after the bulk of their investments have gone to other less busy lines.

They say the Dorion-Rigaud line will get new cars and locomotives... I'll believe that only when I see it.

Come on AMT! Wake up and provide better service to your busiest line! Provide some customer service for goodness sake. Or is it because the Dorion-Rigaud line goes through the West Island?

Victor
OK AMT, so what is the amount of the fare increase this coming new year?

Brian Foster
This is just an excuse for the AMT to jack up their fares in January (which the STM will be doing), otherwise they wouldn't have come up with an action plan.

Plus they have to recover the costs from the coupons they handed out last Mar-Apr-May for which was due to their own poor service.

AMT should go with trains that don't generally breakdown in winter for their next fleet. Who would have knew that this would be an issue with trains built by Bombardier? Are they going with Bombardier again?

I'd say the fare increase should take place only after this winter, to see if most of the action plans have been carried out or not. Will the AMT do that?