The Montreal Metro's aging MR-73 trains, a relic from the 1970s, are reaching the end of their useful lives, with breakdowns occurring 11 times more frequently than the newer Azur trains. This situation highlights the urgent need for a replacement project, estimated to cost between $8 billion and $10 billion. The project is currently in the study phase, with a pre-project study expected by 2028, and the province's approval is crucial for the business case. The MR-73 trains' incompatibility with the Blue Line's control software and their high breakdown rate emphasize the urgency of the replacement. The STM's priorities include delayed maintenance and MR-73 replacement, with the transit authority's chairperson, Aref Salem, emphasizing the need for action. The project's complexity and cost are significant, but the public transit lobby group Trajectoire Québec urges the province to prioritize funding. The city's opposition party, Projet Montréal, has launched a petition to pressure the province into action, aiming to replace the trains by 2036. The federal government's recent $6 billion allocation for public transit may not fully address Montreal's needs, as most funds are directed towards maintenance and tramway projects in Quebec City and Gatineau. The Metro's future relies on timely replacement and maintenance, with the challenge of balancing these needs and the city's budget.
