STM to start daytime testing of new AZUR trains

The Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) yesterday announced plans to launch daytime testing of two new AZUR trains.

Received in April 2014 and July 2015, the trains will be operated during the day, mainly on the Orange and Blue lines. The goal of the testing phase is to validate AZUR's overall performance in its operating environment, where it will run alongside existing MR-63 and MR-73 trains, STM officials said.

For the past 15 months, the agency has been conducting nighttime testing on a prototype train.

Testing without passengers will continue during off-peak hours over the next few months, STM officials said.

"These tests are essential to complete the train’s qualification program and deliver the level of performance required by the STM. There is still work to do and tests to perform, but we are on the right track," said Phiippe Schnobb, STM's chair.

Passenger service is expected to begin before the year’s end, agency officials said.