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Montreal Metro

The Montreal Metro is a rapid transit system serving Montreal and nearby municipalities in Quebec, Canada.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Montreal Metro is a rapid transit system serving Montreal and nearby municipalities in Quebec, Canada. Operated by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), it uses four lines and a distinctive rubber-tired, fully underground design for most of its network. It is one of Canada’s major urban rapid transit systems.

History

The Montreal Metro opened in 1966 and grew from an initial network of 22 stations to a much larger system. Its development has made it one of the major rapid transit systems in Canada.

Network

The system currently has four lines and 68 stations. It serves central, eastern, and northern parts of the Island of Montreal, with connections beyond the island to Longueuil and Laval. The network length is 69.2 kilometres.

Design and operations

The Montreal Metro is notable for using rubber-tired trains rather than conventional steel wheels on most lines. Most of the system runs underground, which distinguishes it from many other North American metro systems.

Maps and wayfinding

Official STM maps show the full transit network and a dedicated metro map in PDF format. These maps are used to show stations, lines, and system connections.

Key facts

  • The Montreal Metro opened in 1966 and has expanded from 22 to 68 stations.
  • It consists of four colour-coded lines.
  • The system serves Montreal and has connections to Longueuil and Laval.
  • The network length is 69.2 kilometres.
  • The Montreal Metro is known for its rubber-tired trains and mostly underground alignment.
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Canadian context

The Montreal Metro is one of Canada’s major urban rapid transit systems and a key part of public transportation in Montreal, Quebec.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Montreal Metro?
It is Montreal’s rapid transit system, operated by the STM and serving Montreal and nearby areas in Quebec.
How many lines does the Montreal Metro have?
It has four lines.
How many stations are in the Montreal Metro?
The system has 68 stations.
When did the Montreal Metro open?
It opened in 1966.
Where can I find the official metro map?
The STM provides official system maps, including a metro map in PDF format.

References

  1. Société de transport de Montréalhttps://www.stm.info/en/info/networks/maps
    Supports: Official system maps, including the metro map PDF and the full STM transit network map.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Metro
    Supports: System history, opening year, number of lines, number of stations, and network length.
  3. UrbanRail.Nethttps://www.urbanrail.net/am/monr/montreal.htm
    Supports: General description of the Montreal Metro, including its four-line underground, rubber-tired system.