Projet Montréal’s leader and mayoral candidate, Luc Rabouin, revealed his initiative for express bus lanes, named the “Réseau express bus,” on Tuesday morning. If successful in the mayoral race, Rabouin pledged to implement a network of express bus routes with reduced stops and increased frequency, operating day and night, along with additional priority lanes. The rollout of this plan by Projet Montréal would commence in underserved areas like Pointe-aux-Trembles, Montréal-Nord, Saint-Michel, and Rosemont East.
“We aim to provide subway-like services on the streets,” Rabouin stated, emphasizing the party’s proactive stance independent of federal or provincial support. The proposed express bus network, as outlined in a news release by Projet Montréal, would incorporate synchronized traffic lights to enhance bus movement by alleviating traffic congestion.
The initial routes identified in the plan prioritize underserved neighborhoods, traversing key areas such as Du Parc, Sherbrooke, Henri-Bourassa, Notre-Dame/René-Lévesque, Saint-Michel, Newman/Dollard, Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Joseph, and Papineau. Rabouin highlighted that this project would serve as a foundation for the tramway network envisioned in Projet Montréal’s broader urban development strategy.
While the exact cost of the project remains undisclosed, Rabouin assured that it would be a cost-effective endeavor. He emphasized the project’s focus on lightweight urban infrastructure to ensure faster transportation. Additionally, Projet Montréal plans to introduce reduced transit fares for individuals with low incomes.
Critiquing his opponent, Ensemble Montréal, Rabouin criticized the party for lacking concrete proposals on mobility, bus services, and the Metro system. In response, Ensemble Montréal dismissed Rabouin’s initiative as a redundant concept, citing existing reserved lanes and express network services within the STM. The party affirmed its commitment to enhancing Metro services, station staffing, and completing the East tramway project.
Transition Montréal also made headlines on Tuesday morning by unveiling its environmental program, advocating for the accelerated development of the “Réseau express vélo” (REV) and the implementation of rapid bus corridors.