The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) announced that, starting in 2031, the Green line will be operated exclusively with the older MR‑73 subway cars. The decision marks a shift in the line’s rolling stock strategy, as the STM moves away from integrating newer train models on this route.
The MR‑73 fleet, already in service on the Green line, represents an older generation of subway cars compared with the modern rolling stock used elsewhere in the system. According to STM data, the MR‑73 vehicles are eleven times less reliable than the newer trains that have been introduced on other lines. This reliability gap has been documented through operational performance metrics collected over recent years.
The exclusive use of MR‑73 cars on the Green line will align the line’s equipment with its current inventory, eliminating mixed‑train operations. While the STM has not provided a detailed timetable for phasing out newer models on the Green line, the 2031 target suggests a long‑term plan to standardise the line around the older stock. The move follows a broader context in which the STM continues to operate a mixed fleet across its network, balancing the maintenance demands of older vehicles against the benefits of newer technology.
Stakeholders will monitor how the transition affects service reliability, given the documented performance disparity between the MR‑73 cars and newer trains. The STM’s schedule indicates that the Green line will remain fully functional with the older fleet, but the reliability statistics highlight a potential challenge for maintaining the level of service expected by commuters.
The upcoming change underscores the STM’s commitment to a defined equipment strategy for the Green line, with the 2031 deadline setting a clear point for the exclusive use of MR‑73 cars.