If you rely on the Société De Transport De Montréal (STM) to get around, brace yourself: a wave of service disruptions is set to hit Montreal’s public transit system from June 9 to 17, as maintenance workers begin a multi-day strike.
According to a document released by the province’s labour tribunal, métro and bus service across the island will be reduced to three limited windows per day — except for the Grand Prix weekend, when full service will resume temporarily.
Here’s what public transit users should know about the upcoming chaos:
When will metro and bus service run during the STM strike?
On June 9, 10, 11, 16 and 17, public transit will only be available from:
- 6:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.
(Metro hours are slightly different, running approximately from 6:30 a.m. to 9:38 a.m., 2:45 p.m. to 5:48 p.m., and 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
On June 12, there will be a few more hours of service, including:
- Morning: 6:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
- Afternoon: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Late night: 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.
Outside those time slots, no metro or bus service will be running — or will be operating at just 50% capacity.
Will service be affected during the Canadian Grand Prix?
Surprisingly, no. The STM will operate regular service from June 13 to 15, as part of a temporary agreement made for the Formula 1 weekend on Île Notre-Dame. So if you’re heading to the track, you won’t be stuck.
Why is this happening?
The strike was announced by STM maintenance workers demanding better working conditions. Their walkout follows similar moves by the agency’s professional and admin staff, and comes on the heels of a recent 99% vote in favour of pressure tactics by bus drivers, station agents, and metro operators.
“This is a decision we don’t take lightly, but our members have spoken with one voice,” said union president Frédéric Therrien on Sunday. “They demand to be treated with respect, to be able to practice their profession in humane conditions, and to receive compensation that reflects their essential role in the daily lives of Montrealers.”
Despite the disruptions, the STM’s adapted transit service will run at full capacity throughout the strike.
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