The organization was created by the Government of Quebec on June 1, 2017, replacing the former planning mandate of the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT).

[8] On June 1, 2017, Bill 76 was implemented: the AMT was officially dissolved and replaced by two newly created organizations: the ARTM and the Réseau de transport métropolitain (RTM).

The AMT's planning mandate went to the ARTM, while the operation of the various commuter rail lines across the Greater Montreal became the responsibility of the RTM (later rebranded Exo).

Other expenses include metropolitan-scale infrastructure such as bus terminuses, ticket offices and the fare management system, as well as service planning and operations.[20].

[22] In July 2023, the ARTM unveiled its updated metropolitan transit network map, in time for the inauguration of the first branch of the REM.

This includes:[13] The also ARTM owns and operates Gare d'autocars de Montréal, the city's main intercity bus terminal.