Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a resolution regularizing the reserved-lane status on the Côte-Vertu/Sauvé route in Saint-Laurent and changing the permitted uses of the existing reserved lane on boulevard Maurice-Duplessis in Montréal-Nord. City staff say the wider goal of reserved lanes is to support public transport and improve bus reliability; that result is not guaranteed.
- Côte-Vertu/Sauvé: the 2.3-kilometre lane from boulevard Décarie to A-15 is reserved 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The decision regularizes its existing status.
- Maurice-Duplessis: on the 0.5-kilometre stretch from rue Langelier to the borough’s eastern boundary, the decision removes permission for cyclists to use the existing reserved lane. Buses and taxis remain permitted.
- A protected bike lane is to be added on Maurice-Duplessis. The existing reserved-lane hours remain Monday to Friday, 6:30–9 a.m. westbound and 3:30–6 p.m. eastbound.
What it means for you#
- Bus and taxi users: Buses can continue using the Maurice-Duplessis reserved lane; taxis remain permitted there too. The Côte-Vertu/Sauvé lane has reserved status around the clock.
- Cyclists: The decision removes permission to cycle in the Maurice-Duplessis reserved lane and provides for a protected bike lane instead. The resolution does not give details about the protected lane’s design.
- Other road users: The decision does not set out changes to general traffic rules beyond the reserved-lane arrangements described above.
Money#
City staff expect no impact on Montréal’s financial plan; the STM pays the costs of installing and maintaining lane markings and signs, including changes to signs.
- The decision summary lists work from May to November 2026; it does not give a separate cost estimate.
What is unclear#
- The resolution does not specify which vehicle categories, beyond buses, may use the Côte-Vertu/Sauvé lane.
- The decision summary says studies assessed expected benefits and road impacts, but the study results are not included. No publicly available information.
- The decision does not state when the changes will be implemented.
Case for#
- Regularizing the existing Côte-Vertu/Sauvé lane’s status clarifies its 24/7 reserved-lane arrangement.
- City staff say reserved lanes can improve bus reliability and punctuality; a connected, consistent network may help preserve travel-time gains.
- The Maurice-Duplessis decision pairs the removal of cycling from the bus lane with a protected bike lane.
Case against#
- Cyclists lose permission to use the existing Maurice-Duplessis reserved lane. The resolution does not explain how the replacement protected lane will work or when it will be ready.
- The study findings on traffic, parking and other road impacts are not provided, so the trade-offs are difficult to assess.
- The resolution does not state which other vehicle categories may use the Côte-Vertu/Sauvé lane.