Terminus Côte-Vertu

“Lost your bus ticket?” a harried woman asked, rushing past us into Terminus Côte-Vertu. This bustling hub isn’t just a bus station. It’s a gateway, a meeting point, the western heart of Montreal’s Metro Orange Line. Opened on November 3, 1986, Terminus Côte-Vertu inherited the mantle of western terminus from Du Collège station. Imagine the excitement as the first Metro train pulled in, marking a new era for Montreal’s public transit. Terminus Côte-Vertu wasn’t meant to be the final stop. The original plans envisioned extending the line further west, past the Bois-Franc commuter train station. But fate, or perhaps city planning, had other ideas. This explains the slightly cramped feel, especially during rush hour. As trains arrive every two minutes, the platforms can become a bottleneck. But the station has adapted. A new bus terminal arose around the northern entrance in 2005. Additional bus shelters appeared on Edouard-Laurin Boulevard to handle the constant flow of metropolitan routes. Terminus Côte-Vertu truly connects Montreal. Three STL (Société de transport de Laval) buses use this station as their Montreal terminus, bridging the gap between two cities. Accessibility is a priority at Terminus Côte-Vertu. Elevators were installed in 2010, making it the seventh wheelchair-accessible station in the Metro network. If you need assistance, STM employees are ready to help you navigate the gap between the platform and the metro car. Look around. You’ll see art woven into the fabric of the station. Yves Trudeau’s “Relief, négatif positif” mural sculptures grace the transept. Éric Lamontagne’s mural, “L’Homo urbanus,” adds a modern touch to the bus terminal, capturing the spirit of urban life. Even the smallest details tell a story. Terminus Côte-Vertu was once unique for having the exact position of metro car doors marked on the platforms. It’s a small detail, but one that speaks to the station’s commitment to passenger flow. So, next time you’re at Terminus Côte-Vertu, take a moment to appreciate its history. This is more than just a station. It’s a vital connector, a work of art, and a testament to Montreal’s ever-evolving urban landscape.