Montreal Gazette

TIME TO RELOAD THAT OPUS CARD AND GET MOVING

- JOEL CEAUSU

It’s the end of a long day and you’ve spent a lot of time in a hot coat on the métro. You get off the bus, hike home in the bitter cold and step inside. It’s nice to be home, and as you begin to peel off your coat, it dawns on you — your Opus card needs reloading. Do you turn around and head for the pharmacy? Pay cash on the bus in the morning?

Life is busy enough, and there are enough demands on your time and money as it is. The need to constantly refill a transit pass, whether it be via lineups at the machines or a late-night — or early-morning — dash to the dépanneur as you hurry to or from work, is probably not your idea of time well spent.

It’s 2015, there has to be a better way, n’est-ce pas?

Well yes, there is. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has been offering it for years and it’s about time.

Opus à l’année is an annual subscripti­on program available for the regular monthly fare card that saves you time, headaches, and money.

There are no contracts, and if you sign up before Dec. 11 and remain a subscriber for 11 consecutiv­e months, your 12th month is free. That’s $82 more in your pocket!

It’s easy to get started. Just take a few minutes to subscribe online before the 11th of the month to begin your subscripti­on on the first of the following month.

You’ll receive a free Opus card in the mail (another $6 savings), which will be activated and ready for use from the very first day your subscripti­on begins. Each month the cost of the monthly pass will be automatica­lly debited from your bank account or credit card.

Nothing to think about, no extra trips every month. You can cancel your subscripti­on at any time — either in writing, by phoning 514-333-9815, or via the website — but requests to terminate must be received before the 10th day of the month in question. For example, to terminate your subscripti­on on Dec. 31, make your request between Nov. 11 and Dec. 10.

That’s piece of mind AND savings.

“Exactly,” said Isabelle Lambert, STM communicat­ions agent. “When we survey our customers, people who are already Opus à l’année subscriber­s tell us the principal advantage is that they don’t have to think about it. Ever. It’s always ready and saves them a lot of time.”

There’s more: Your Opus card is automatica­lly registered so if you ever lose it, simply visit the customer service centre at Berri-UQAM or any of the five other points of service across the city with a photo ID and you will be given a new card charged with any remaining fares. You only pay the cost of a new card.

For recent grads who lose their student status this year, Opus à l’année softens the transition to a regular fare by knocking 20 per cent off each month if you subscribe by Dec. 11.

Surely you can find something to do with an extra $197?

Of course, Opus à l’année also gives you access to special offers through the STM’s Merci program, Bixi and Communauto, and if you have subscribed for more than 12 months, you could be entitled to Maestro status and enjoy even more benefits like having a friend ride free with you on evenings and weekends, and free Bixi keys.

 ?? PHOTO LOUIS-ÉTIENNE DORÉ ?? Opus à l’année is an annual subscripti­on program that saves you time, headaches and money.
PHOTO LOUIS-ÉTIENNE DORÉ Opus à l’année is an annual subscripti­on program that saves you time, headaches and money.

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