AMT to be dismantled, merged with other commuter agencies

The greater Montreal region's commuter-train service, the AMT, will soon be abolished by the provincial government and replaced by two new entities.

AMT spokesperson Fanie St-Pierre confirmed the newsFriday night.

The management of commuter trains will be entrusted to a new organization called le Rseau transport mtropolitain (RTM), which will bring various regional transit authorities CITsunder one banner.

The second new transit managemententitywill be calledAgence rgionale de transport (ART).

The RTM will also manage some aspects of the Montreal, Longueuil and Laval transit authorities, though those organizations will continue to maintain some level of autonomy.

The ART will be managed by Montreal-area officials and government experts two groups that will each hold six seats on the new agency's board of directors.

Transport Minister Robert Poti laid out the transit re-organization plan for the executive committee of the Montreal Metropolitan Community on Friday.

One of the province's main objectives is to simplify the lives of commuters travelling between different regions. They are often forced to buy different transit passes to access buses, trains and metros on different networks.

The chairman of the AMT, Nicolas Girard, will keep his job according to Radio-Canada.

Details about the abolishment of the AMT and the merger of regional authorities are expected to be clarified in the weeks to come.