Regular bus routes to return to Laval after maintenance delays, says STL

A Société de transport de Laval (STL) bus on Oct. 21, 2021. (LA PRESSE CANADIENNE/Ryan Remiorz)

The Société de transport de Laval (STL) is resuming regular service now that it has enough buses in good working order.

The transit authority had been forced to suspend approximately 60 routes as of March 10 due to significant delays in routine bus maintenance, caused by parts supply issues and equipment management problems.

The STL announced on March 9 that 39 daily routes would be cancelled during the morning rush hour, in addition to 23 routes during the afternoon rush hour, for a service reduction of 2.6 per cent.

The agency points out that the situation resolved itself more quickly than anticipated, after saying on March 9 that it expected disruptions to be “minimal” for the next four to eight weeks.

“At that time, cancelling trips was the only possible decision, as we had to act responsibly to prioritize the safety of our customers and employees,” the STL stated in a press release on Monday.

The transit company adds that it has taken short-term measures to prevent a similar situation from recurring.

“Whether to address staff absences, expedite the delivery of certain parts or review certain operational processes, the teams have doubled their efforts, and these efforts have yielded more than conclusive results,” the STL said.

“At the same time, a team comprising various stakeholders has been formed to develop recommendations that will improve the current structure and its various components.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 30, 2026.