Thales to modernize Montreal Métro blue Line,improving passengers’ punctuality and
train reliability

• Following a call for tenders, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) awards Thales the contract for a CBTC train control system (Communications-Based Train Control) for the Montreal Métro blue Line.
• Thales’ SelTrac™ signalling system will extend across the entire existing blue Line and the new 6 km blue Line prolonged section towards the east.
• This will significantly modernize the network and replace the current legacy technology to provide customers with improved and more reliable journeys, and STM with the ability to increase the frequency of trains.

Thales and the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) conclude a new contract for the train control system project of the blue Line of the Montreal Metro. Thales will design, manufacture, install and test the SelTrac™ Communications-Based Train Control signalling system, and deliver 5-year maintenance services. Thales’ SelTrac™ technology will replace the existing system across the blue Line and further extend across the new 6 km prolonged section.

Montreal’s 71km metro network is the second busiest rapid transit network in Canada and the fourth busiest in North America. Société de transport de Montréal (STM)’s number 5 or blue Line, is one of the four lines that make up the metro network in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The blue Line is undergoing a prolongation to the east from Saint-Michel to Anjou station adding 6 km of rail and 5 new stations. Following completion of the extension, the blue Line will consist of 17 stations spanning a total distance of 19km providing STM customers with a more modern, efficient and reliable service.

Thales’ SelTrac™ will be the first CBTC system to be deployed across the Montreal Métro network. This contract also includes a 5-year maintenance service which will also be carried out by Thales. CBTC is the industry leading technology for metro systems globally, deployed by the vast majority of metro operators around the world and will support Montreal metro’s modernization with state-of-the-art technology.

Thales is familiar with the STM network, operation and technology, having provided an interlocking system across the network for the past six years. Thales will leverage this knowledge and build on the partnership to deliver the blue Line project. The SelTrac™ solution that will be installed at Montreal is in service across the largest and busiest networks around the world including; New York, Singapore, London, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Dubai and Doha.

“Thales has a proud history in Montreal, successfully working with STM for the past 6 years. Through partnership with STM and with our local, made-in-Canada SelTrac™ CBTC technology, we will significantly modernize the network and transform the metro experience for passengers in Montreal.” – Alcino De Sousa, Vice President and Managing Director Urban Rail Signalling, Thales.

Thales’ office in Toronto, Canada has over 1,000 employees, including more than 800 engineers and 30,000 ft² of simulation lab space for software testing. This site is the engineering competence center for the made-in-Canada SelTrac™ signalling solution and will provide expertise to this project.

About Thales Canada

A Canadian leader in research and technology, Thales Canada combines over 50 years of experience with the talent of over 2,200 skilled people from coast-to-coast. Thales Canada offers leading capabilities in the defence, urban rail, civil aviation, digital identity and security sectors – meeting the most complex needs and requirements of its customers across all operating environments.