Bernard Blanchet, member of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) Board of Directors and Lachine borough councillor, Claude Dauphin, mayor of Lachine borough, and Ross Blackhurst, LaSalle borough councillor, greeted the one-millionth passenger aboard the 495 Express Lachine-LaSalle on September 19. Together, they added to the festive mood by handing out promotional objects to transit users aboard the “millionaire bus”.
“In LaSalle, the 495’s success among transit users is no surprise to us, as its service complements the local lines already serving our borough. This bus line is an answer to the growing need for transportation in the east-west corridor toward Lachine and Dorval, whereas most of the existing lines provided a connection with Angrignon métro station and Montréal. While featuring a limited number of stops yet serving all strategic public locations in LaSalle, the 495 bus is without a doubt one of the best improvements in terms of public transportation in our area since the Candiac commuter train line reopened,” explained Mr. Blackhurst.
Introduced into service on March 29, 2010, the 495 Express Lachine-LaSalle runs all day, Monday to Friday, from 5 a.m. to métro closing time at night. During morning and afternoon rush hour, buses run every 20 minutes, and every 23 minutes during off-peak periods. Its itinerary features either 35 or 36 stops, depending on the direction, and offers a faster, more direct access to Angrignon station for the Lachine hospital, LaSalle borough offices, L’Octogone library, LaSalle General Hospital, Place LaSalle and André-Laurendeau cegep.
