The Evolution of Montreal's Public Transportation System
Montreal's public transportation system from its earliest beginnings until the construction of its beautiful métro system is quite a fascinating tale.
It all began between the years 1848 and 1850 when there existed the omnibus that looked like a big stagecoach accommodating 12-20 passengers. The important element of this system of transportation was that it acclimatized people to travel together.
This led to an intermingling of the various classes of society, that was something unheard of prior to the introduction of this means of public transportation.
Unfortunately Montreal's streets were too small to accommodate these vehicles and it did not last very long.
Around 1850 to 1894 you had a system where a streetcar was drawn by two horses and there were iron wheels running along rails. The average speed was eight miles per hour. During the winter, however, especially during snowstorms, it was quite an experience to ride in one of these trams!
The last horse-drawn car, whose route had been along rue Notre Dame Ouest, was retired in October of 1894.
The creation of the Montreal City Passenger Railway Company transpired in 1861 when the population of Montreal was about 101 000.
The first stretch of this public transportation was between du Havre and Rue McGill (which today is now rue Notre Dame). This service transported about two million passengers a year.
In 1886 the company changed its name to the Montreal Street Railway Company.
With the coming of public transportation to Montreal we see the beginning of urban sprawl.
No longer were workers or owners of businesses obliged to live very close to their working environment. They now had the possibility of moving out of the center core of Montreal to the suburbs.
As a result, farmlands around the outskirts of Montreal begin to be redeveloped in order that houses may be built. In fact the developers did not wait to purchase large chunks of farmland in anticipation of this urban sprawl.
Unfortunately, farmland was invaded by an uncontrolled urbanization and long narrow lots of land were incorporated into the developing of the urban environment.
In 1892 we witness the introduction of the first electric streetcar to Montreal and it was appropriately called the "Rocket" due to its immense speed of 25 miles per hour! This was quite a contrast to the initial horse drawn tramway. This vehicle ran along Craig Street now known as Rue St Antoine. Perhaps this is where Rocket Richard of Montreal Canadian fame took can trace is nickname?
Initially, however, this means of transportation was not very safe and there were many accidents.
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