The STM Will Finally Show You How Crowded Orange Line Trains Are From Inside The Stations

You can finally avoid those packed metro cars.
Staff Writer

Ever wish you could know exactly which metro cars are packed full of people so you can avoid them? Well thanks to AI technology implemented by the STM, metro riders will finally get real-time updates on the station display screens that show you how many people are riding the metro at any given time. 

The updates will be displayed on the STM's busiest metro line: the Orange line. 

Editor's Choice: Montreal Is In For A Really Disgusting Winter, A New Forecast Shows

Having access to this information is more pertinent than ever, as public health authorities are constantly reminding us to keep our distance as much as possible.

Philippe Schnobb, STM Chairman

The technology was implemented to help customers better plan their trips and facilitate social distancing rules. 

For the moment, only passengers on the Orange line will be able to see the figures.

There's no word on whether or not passengers on other metro lines will be able to see these real-time passenger updates as only AZUR trains are equipped with this technology. 

"The goal is to improve the customer experience on public transportation," said Schnobb.

Customers also see these real-time updates during peak periods on the STM's website, including live bus occupancy updates, trip planning, and more. 

"Innovating during a pandemic is no easy task. It requires not only considerable agility but also a sense of creativity and a constant desire to reinvent ourselves for the greater benefit of our customers,” said Luc Tremblay, CEO of the STM.

  • Teddy Elliot
  • Teddy Elliot was a Staff Writer for MTL Blog. He was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and has a B.A. in Literature. Teddy has been a journalist for three years and was once an English teacher. His creative work has appeared in The Blasted Tree and Parenthetical Magazine. When he's not chasing scoops, Teddy can be found cheering on Aston Villa and listening to 80s power ballads. He was shortlisted for a Digital Publishing Award in 2021.

A YouTuber biked the entire island of Montreal and it took less time than you might think

"Without leaving the island, I think this is the most beautiful long ride you can do."

Canada has updated its travel warnings for these 7 popular spring break destinations

Advisories range from "exercise a high degree of caution" to "avoid all travel."

Montreal's Trudeau airport is warning of extra traffic chaos ahead of March break

The airport is demolishing a parking garage during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.