Montreal's commuter trains have been plagued with mechanical problems due to their age and cold weather. (CBC) A Quebec commuter fed up with daily delays, cancellations and overcrowding on trains has launched a $65-million class-action lawsuit against Montreal's suburban train service.

The lawsuit, which still needs the go-ahead from Quebec Superior Court, is the latest attempt by a commuter to take some form of action against the Montreal Transportation Agency (AMT) which has stumbled this winter with the cold weather, a shortage of trains and scheduling problems.

Pincourt resident Yves Boyer filed the lawsuit late Tuesday on behalf of 45,000 commuters who use the AMT's Deux-Montagnes and Dorion-Rigaud train lines daily.

He's asking the AMT to reimburse commuters 30 per cent of the cost of their monthly passes going back to December 2007.

His lawyer Normand Painchaud said the unreliable service has affected the quality of life of his client and thousands of other people who live in Montreal's suburbs.

"He cannot anymore take any appointments with his clients before 10 a.m. just in case he couldn't make the appointment," said Painchaud.

He said his client also avoids making plans in the early evening because he can't promise his guests or family that he will be home on time.

Painchaud said his client isn't trying to further hobble the AMT with a pricey lawsuit.

"We're not out there to hurt the AMT. We're out there to serve the commuters. And if we serve the commuters, the AMT will have more clients in the end," he said.

Train boss offers fare compensation

AMT president Joël Gauthier said he's focusing his attention on improving service, not potential lawsuits.

"We will see what the court will say about that. What is important is to restore a quality of service on the Dorion-Riguad line and Deux-Montagnes line," he told CBC News.

This week, Gauthier announced a compensation plan which will involve cheaper monthly passes for riders of the most affected lines in the months ahead.

Deux-Montagnes riders will pay 50 per cent less in March and receive a 25 per cent discount in April and May.

'What is important is to restore a quality of service on the Dorion-Rigaud line and Deux-Montagnes line.'—Joël Gauthier, AMT president

Riders on the Dorion-Rigaud line will receive a 50 per cent decrease in the price of their March passes.

The AMT is also making scheduling changes, which passengers have been demanding.

As of Monday, the Deux-Montagnes line will revert back to its old morning rush-hour schedule. However, train capacity will be reduced by one-fifth due to equipment repairs.

Gauthier said shuttle buses will be available to bring passengers to select metro stations within the city limits.

He said the real problems with the commuter service will only be addressed when the provincial government invests more money in trains and rail infrastructure.

Earlier this week, a group of commuters who use the Deux-Montagnes line showed up at AMT headquarters with a stack of 200 invoices filled out by frustrated riders.

The invoices detailed specific ways the train delays affected the lives of the individual riders.

Commuter Valerie Mayman said she's simply losing patience.

"I'm getting to work later. You're standing very tight with other people," she said. "I mean, this is not rocket science."