Polytechnique Montréal
OP-17: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Polytechnique has a partnership with Bixi (Montreal's bicycle sharing program) to offer a 10% discount on the annual membership.

BIXI : "BIXI Montréal is a non-profit organization created in 2014 by the city of Montreal to manage its bike-sharing system. The BIXI network has more than 9,500 bikes and 700 stations spread out across the areas of Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, Westmount, Town of Mount Royal and Montreal East. Much more than just a simple mode of transport, BIXI is now a great way to zip around the city whenever you want to go wherever your heart desires." https://bixi.com/en/who-we-are

Polytechnique's students or employees can use the Université de Montréal's car sharing station for the commercial Communauto services. Furthermore, since the 2022 winter semester, there is a carpooling platform available to all students and employees of Polytechnique of Montreal, with a company called Netlift. It offers many advantages - for drivers: a compensation is offered depending of the distance of the route, and they can park at a reduced fee; for passengers: a fee equivalent to public transit and a guaranteed return home in case of unexpected circumstances. Also, Polytechnique has paid reserved indoor parking spots for students or employees carpooling. https://polytechnique.netlift.me/covoiturage/

Electric vehicle owners have to pay the parking spot according to the tariff grid, but electricity is provided for free.

Several standard electrical plugs with dedicated parking spots are available to recharge electric vehicles in Polytechnique's parkings : 8 indoor parkings at Lassonde Buildings and 16 outdoor parkings.

Active mobility is strongly encouraged at Polytechnique Montréal. The institution is VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE certified (silver level), a certification given by Vélo Québcec for bikefriendly installations and other active mobility incentives. Polytechnique offers access to more than 200 free outdoor bike spots, free secure indoor parking spots for bikes, a FIXIT station, showers, and a BIXI - bike sharing program rebate. The Polytechnique community has access to a community workshop Biciklo, a bike toolbox, a cyclist club, and a program pairing experienced cyclists to beginners who want to begin cycling to and from work.

Other initiatives and programs regarding active mobility and public transit are described in more depth in the next section.

Moreover, Polytechnique participates in two programs for employees: OPUS & Cie and OPUS+, with the two local public transit agencies. For the OPUS & Cie program: organizations taking part in the program agree to contribute financially to the purchase of OPUS & Cie annual subscriptions by their employees. In turn, the STM agrees to match that discount, up to a maximum of 10%. For the Opus+ program, the employee benefits from one month free for a yearly membership. Also, COOPoly (on site cooperative store) sells public transit tickets and passes to ensure easy access for Polytechnique's community. Furthermore, Polytechnique and the local public transit agency hosts a few days on campus site each year to make or update the reduced rate OPUS card, which allows staudents a significant cost reduction on public transit use.

Polytechnique Montréal presents all options for public transit and active mobility on a webpage “Se rendre à Polytechnique en transport durable” (Getting to Polytechnique by sustainable transportation) leading to a map of : bicycle sharing stations, bus and metro stops and stations, car sharing stations, electric vehicle recharge stations, lines and suburban train stations, bicycle network, and provides distances to be travelled in active mobility according to a starting point. All of the options with their respective programs and initiatives are listed in this webpage.