Montreal-area river shuttle season kicks off with new stop in Varennes
The Montreal regional transport authority (ARTM) has launched its river shuttle service for the season – and this year it's expanding its service.
The authority announced Monday it is adding a new stop on the Riviere-des-Prairies route from the Old Port in Montreal, and will now head to the South Shore town of Varennes.
Here's the full list of routes:
- N1: Montréal-Mercier - Boucherville (May 15 to Nov.12)
- N2: Old Port - Boucherville (May 15 to Oct.15)
- N3: Old Port - Pointe-aux-Trembles – Varennes (May 15 to Oct. 15)
- N4: Old Port - Île Sainte-Hélène - Longueuil (May 15 to Oct.15)
- N5: Old Port - Île Sainte-Hélène Express (June 16 to Sept. 4)
- N6: Montreal-Mercier - Île Charron (June 17 to Sept. 4)
MORE INFO: STM River shuttle service
The ARTM also said it is adding extra hours on some routes to encourage more people to use the shuttle services.
"We also have adapted the schedules to better suit the needs of people who are going to work, to school. So we have early departures and later departures as well," said Simon Boiteau, spokesperson for the ARTM.
"We have also extended the season, so river shuttles will start earlier in the spring and service will end later in the fall."
Due to high water levels that prevent the installation of docks, departures and stops at Île Sainte-Hélène and Varennes begin later in the spring.
Anyone using the water shuttle service is advised to reserve a seat in advance. Tickets cost $5.50 and are included in the weekly or monthly regional transport authority pass.
Launched in 2021, the river shuttle welcomed some 256,000 passengers last season.
"River shuttles allow citizens to benefit from significant travel time savings, particularly between the South Shore and the Island of Montreal," said ARTM Director General Benoît Gendron in a news release.
"The river shuttle between Boucherville and Montreal is one of the many public transit mitigation measures offered to citizens affected by the work on the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel. Its popularity last year proves that the service meets a real need. Every trip that can be made other than by car counts," added Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault.
Access to the Montreal-Mercier ─ Boucherville link is free at all times.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.