New shuttle to serve Montreal airport

Starting at the end of the month, it will be easier and cheaper to travel from downtown Montreal to Trudeau airport.

The Montreal Transport Corporation (STM) and the Montreal airport authority will launch a new airport shuttle on March 29, officials announced Thursday.

It is called the 747 — like the airplane — and will offer round the clock service, seven days a week.

The cost is significantly cheaper than the privately run shuttle bus currently serving the airport, and will be particularly useful for the thousands of employees working at the airport said officials.

In addition to the airport, the bus will stop at eight locations in downtown Montreal including Lionel-Groulx and Berri-UQÀM Metro stations, Central Station and near some major hotels and tourist sites.

The shuttle, which resembles a regular STM bus fitted with luggage racks inside, will be free of charge for monthly bus pass holders.

For other passengers a ticket will cost $7 — which will also entitle the passenger to unlimited bus and Metro access for the day.

The service is necessary, but doesn’t replace the need for a rail shuttle between downtown and the airport, said STM chairman Michel Labrecque.

Officials said they are making progress on that file — a train station has been built at the airport.

But, city officials said they need more money from the province to finish building the rail infrastructure.