How to Purchase an Opus Card for the Montreal Subway System

The metro system of Montreal, run by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) recently upgraded its method of ticketing passengers. The new Opus card is a reusable plastic smart card that allows riders to carry all their "tickets" for different types of transit use on a credit card sized card. The Opus card also holds monthly passes. Purchasing the new Opus card is a bit confusing, though.

Instructions

1. Purchase an Opus card for $3.50 Canadian, as of 2008, at a location that sells them. Locations include the subway station booths and pharmacies.

2. Insert the Opus card into the reader.

3. Press the button indicating the type of purchase you want to make (monthly pass, CAM Hebdo, six tickets, single ticket).

4. Press the button indicating the type of payment you will make.

5. Insert payment of coins, bills, credit card or debit card.

6. Wait until the card is charged and remove it.

Tips & Warnings

• Students who purchase the Opus card must obtain a personalized photo ID Opus card and register it.

• Instead of using the fare vending machine, it is possible to charge your Opus card at a fare booth, a metropolitan ticket counter, or at a location where the cards can be purchased.

• To find out how many rides are left on your Opus card, hold your card to the machine's card reader. The screen will automatically tell you what's on the card. When you remove the card, the screen will disappear.

• The Opus card will allow you to use the transit networks of the MTC, AMT, STL, RTL, various suburban transit networks in the Montreal region, and the RTS of Quebec City.

• The Opus card should last seven years. Students or other people who enjoy reduced fare or intermediate fare privileges will have to replace their personalized Opus card after two years.

• Register your Opus card. If it is lost, stolen or damaged, you will be able to obtain a new Opus card.

Resources

• Opus Card (English version)