The Société de transport de Montréal announced that, beginning in 2031, the Green line will be operated solely with the older MR‑73 subway cars. The transit agency highlighted that the MR‑73 fleet is eleven times less reliable than the newer models currently in service on other lines.
The decision marks a shift from the present mixed‑fleet arrangement on the Green line, where both MR‑73 cars and more recent trains share the tracks. Since their introduction in the 1970s, the MR‑73 cars have been a staple of Montreal’s subway system, but they have also been associated with higher rates of breakdowns and service interruptions.
STM officials explained that the exclusive use of MR‑73 cars on the Green line is part of a broader plan to reallocate newer rolling stock to lines with higher passenger volumes and to streamline maintenance schedules. By concentrating the older vehicles on a single line, the agency hopes to better manage the reliability gap identified in its internal assessments.
The agency did not provide a detailed timeline for the transition beyond the 2031 target date, nor did it disclose any specific measures to mitigate the anticipated reliability challenges. However, STM reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining service levels and ensuring passenger safety throughout the changeover.
Montreal commuters can expect the Green line to continue operating with the familiar design of the MR‑73 cars, which feature the classic interior layout and exterior appearance that have been part of the city’s transit landscape for decades. The move also underscores the aging infrastructure of the MR‑73 fleet, which has been in continuous operation for more than fifty years.
While the Green line will retain its existing route and station stops, the exclusive reliance on the older cars may influence future planning discussions about fleet renewal, system upgrades, and overall network reliability across the STM network.