Montreal

STM set to increase monthly and single fares

Public transportation corporation confirms fares will rise in 2015

The cost of a single fare will go up from $3.00 to $3.25

The price of a monthly STM pass will go from $79.50 to $82 staring in January. (CBC)

Public transit fares in Montreal are going up in the new year.

The STM released a list of increased fares for 2015.

"We have more expenses. We have to pay employees. We have expenses with gasoline, with electricity," said STM Chair Philippe Schnobb.

The cost of a single fare will go up from $3.00 to $3.25.

A monthly pass will go up $79.50 to $82.

Schnobb said it's still a bargain compared to other cities.

"You know in Toronto they pay $130 a month, so it's like $50 more than Montreal."

The STM raised fares last year too, but at that time it also cut service. Now Schnobb says it can afford to improve service.

He said more metro trains will be added during rush hour on the green and orange lines, and some extra buses will be added to busy routes, including the 105 Sherbrooke bus in NDG.

It came as welcome news to Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough mayor Russell Copeman, who tweeted about it.

Fares have been rising steadily over the last 10 years. The single fare is up 24 per cent since 2004, and the cost of a monthly pass is up almost 40 per cent.