ARTM studying ways to improve public transit between Greater Southwest and downtown
Montreal's regional transit authority (ARTM) is studying six options to improve public transport between what's called the Greater Southwest and downtown.
One option on the table is the extension of Montreal's metro system towards the West Island. Lachine's mayor, Maja Vodanovic, says that option is a popular one.
"It's an interesting scenario and I looked on my Facebook page and it's the one that has the most likes," Vodanovic said. "We've put all the scenarios up so we can kind of foresee that that's what the people will want as well."
Vodanovic says a metro extension would likely reach the Galleries Lachine mall with a potential stop in the eastern part of Lachine.
"Lachine is growing like LaSalle is growing, like parts of Dorval are growing and we're in an enclave. We're between the canal and the train tracks and the highway. We only have three exits from Lachine and so you put more people, there's more people stuck at the exit," Vodanovic said.
The five other options have different routes and offer either bus or tramway. One option would be to connect Dorval to Square Victoria.
"The goal of this project is to link the territory together, but help people also get to the downtown area," said Patrick Charpentier, an ARTM project director.
The business community says a public transit project of this size would boost the local economy.
"Really think this is a game changer for the Greater Southwest, especially for Lasalle, Lachine," said Daphne Ferguson from PME MTL.
"One of the biggest challenges these days for businesses is recruitment, retention of staff and the lack of efficient public transport in certain areas of this territory is a major challenge for businesses."
The ARTM is holding public consultations on the matter and people can also provide comments online. The ARTM will present a final option to Quebec later this year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
BREAKING Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.
Key mediator Qatar urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a cease-fire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds to reach a deal that would free some Israeli hostages and bring a ceasefire in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Campus anti-war protesters dig in across U.S. as schools, police take action
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war woke up in tents at college campuses across the United States Sunday morning planning more protests demanding that schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies accused of enabling the conflict.