Montrealers who depend on the metro for getting around are in for a rough couple of weeks.
As we reported last week, starting September 22, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will cut back metro service as part of a strike by its maintenance workers, leaving riders with far fewer options outside of peak hours.
The reduced schedule will last until October 5 unless a deal is reached before then. Here’s what public transit users can expect during that period.
Reduced metro schedule
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the metro will only run during three time blocks:
- Morning rush: 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
- Afternoon rush: 2:45 PM to 5:45 PM
- Night service: 11:00 PM until the final trains (around 1:15 AM)
There will be no metro service in between those periods.
Days with normal service
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the metro will follow its regular schedule.
What this means for your commute
- If you usually travel outside rush hours on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, expect major disruption. The metro will not run in the late morning, mid-afternoon, or early evening.
- Night owls will have to plan carefully. Service only resumes at 11:00 PM, so getting around after dinner could be tricky.
- Final train times will still be posted on station screens and on stm.info, so checking before you head out is essential.
Why and what’s next?
The Tribunal administratif du travail recently set out the essential services that must continue during the strike. Full metro service is not included in that definition, which is why off-peak hours are being cut.
This latest strike notice comes just a few months after STM employees staged major walkouts in June that disrupted commutes for thousands of Montrealers. That strike lasted from June 9th to June 17th.
Negotiations are still ongoing, and the STM says the schedule could change if an agreement is reached. For now, though, riders should expect reduced service starting September 22.
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