Orange Line (Montreal Metro)

Orange Line (Montreal Metro) is the busiest and longest line of the Montreal Metro system, operated by the Société de transport de Montréal. It runs from Côte-Vertu station in the borough of Saint-Laurent to Montmorency station in Laval, serving 31 stations across a 30-kilometre route. As a central artery, it provides critical connections to major institutions like the Université de Montréal, McGill University, and the Quartier des Spectacles.

History

The line's first segment opened on October 14, 1966, as part of the original Metro network, running between Henri-Bourassa station and Bonaventure station under Boulevard René-Lévesque. Major extensions followed, including a westward leg to Place-Saint-Henri station in 1980, reaching Snowdon station in 1981, and finally Côte-Vertu station in 1986. A significant expansion occurred in 2007 with the extension into Laval, adding Montmorency station, De la Concorde station, and Cartier station, marking the system's first venture off the Island of Montreal. This development was part of a broader transportation plan supported by the Government of Quebec.

Route and stations

The line forms a northeast-southwest arc across Montreal, primarily running underground with elevated sections in Laval. Key interchange stations include Lionel-Groulx station with the Green Line, Berri-UQAM station with the Green and Yellow Lines, and Snowdon station with the Blue Line. Notable stations serve major hubs such as Jean-Talon station in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough, Place-d'Armes station near Old Montreal, and Lucien-L'Allier station serving the Bell Centre. The route passes beneath landmarks like Mount Royal and the Saint Lawrence River.

Rolling stock

The line is exclusively served by the MR-73 rubber-tired train fleet, which has been in operation since the 1970s. These trains are maintained at the Angrignon and Montmorency garages. The Société de transport de Montréal has undertaken modernization programs for this fleet to ensure reliability. All rolling stock operations are coordinated from the Metro Control Centre located at Beaubien station.

Service and operations

Service operates from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekdays, with reduced hours on weekends. During peak periods, trains run at intervals as short as two to three minutes, handling an average weekday ridership of around one million passengers. The line is a critical component of Montreal's public transit network, integrating with the Réseau express métropolitain at several stations and connecting to numerous STM bus routes. Special event services are implemented for activities at the Olympic Stadium and Place des Arts.

Future expansion

Proposed extensions have been studied, including a westward prolongation from Côte-Vertu station towards Bois-Franc station and the Montréal-Trudeau Airport. The Plan métropolitain d'aménagement et de développement has also examined potential northeastern expansions deeper into Laval. Any future projects would require approval and funding from the Government of Quebec and Transport Canada, aligning with the strategic vision of the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain.

Category:Montreal Metro lines