The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) announced that, beginning in 2031, the metro’s Green Line will be operated solely with the older MR‑73 subway cars. The decision marks a shift in equipment strategy for the line, which will rely entirely on the aging fleet that has long served the city’s transit network.
According to the STM, the MR‑73 cars are currently about eleven times less reliable than the newer wagons that have been introduced elsewhere in the system. The reliability gap highlights the challenges associated with maintaining older rolling stock over an extended period. The agency’s plan to use these cars exclusively on the Green Line reflects a commitment to keep the line in service despite the noted reliability differences.
The MR‑73 fleet, first introduced decades ago, constitutes a significant portion of Montreal’s subway inventory. Over the years, the cars have undergone periodic maintenance to extend their service life, but the STM’s assessment points to a marked disparity in performance when compared with the newer models now in operation on other lines.
By 2031, the Green Line will transition to an all‑MR‑73 configuration, meaning that passengers on that route will travel exclusively on the older cars. The STM has not detailed any immediate changes to service frequency or capacity linked to the switch, focusing instead on the equipment change itself.
The move comes as part of broader discussions about the future of Montreal’s metro system and the balance between upgrading infrastructure and managing existing assets. While the MR‑73 cars continue to run on other lines, the Green Line will become the first to rely solely on this aging fleet, underscoring the importance of long‑term planning for the city’s public transportation needs.
The STM’s announcement sets a clear timeline for the transition, with the 2031 start date giving the agency and its partners several years to prepare for the operational shift.
The decision reflects the ongoing reality that the MR‑73 fleet, despite its long service history, remains a less reliable component of the system when measured against newer rolling stock, according to STM data.