Significant reductions to Montreal bus, Metro service during nine-day strike

Montreal bus and metro commuters will have to ride out nine days of strikes in June.

Commuters are being warned about significant cuts to Metro and bus service beginning next week due to the maintenance worker strike that will cause some headaches getting around Montreal.

Of note, there will be no impact to service disruptions during the Montreal Grand Prix.

On May 29, the union representing the maintenance workers announced they were going on strike and had initially proposed to shut down the Metro for a day, but Quebec’s Administrative Labour Tribunal refused, saying the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) had to ensure essential services were maintained to protect the health and safety of the public.

On Monday, the tribunal said after reviewing a new agreement between the STM and the Syndicat du transport de Montréal that it was satisfactory.

Commuting in Montreal, however, will be complicated outside of peak hours during the strike, which will run from June 9 to 17.

Reductions to bus service

From June 9 to 11, bus service will be maintained only from 6 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and then from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Regular service will then resume from 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.

Outside of the hours, there will be no bus service.

On June 12, there will be regular service from 6:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m and then from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Regular service will resume from 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.

Outside of those hours, bus service will be reduced by 50 per cent, according to the STM.

On June 13, 14, and 15, which coincides with Grand Prix weekend in Montreal, there will be regular bus service.

On June 16 and 17, there will only be regular bus service from 6:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and then from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Regular bus service will resume from 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.

Outside of those hours, bus service will be reduced by 50 per cent.

Commuters are advised that Paratransit will not be affected by the strike and regular service will be maintained.

Reductions to Metro service

Metro hours will also be significantly reduced for public transit users during the strike.

On June 9, 10, and 11, the Metro will only be in service from 6:30 a.m. to 9:38 a.m. and from 2:45 p.m. to 5:48 p.m. Metro service will then resume from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Outside of those hours, there will be no Metro service available.

On June 12, the Metro will only be available from 6:30 a.m. to 10:38 a.m. and from 2:45 p.m. to 6:48 p.m. Service will resume between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Outside of those hours, service will be reduced by 50 per cent.

As with the bus, the Metro will not be disrupted from June 13, 14, and 15.

On June 16 and 17, Metro service will be maintained between 6:30 a.m. and 9:38 a.m. and from 2:45 p.m. to 5:48 p.m. Service will come back between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Outside of those hours, service will be reduced by 50 per cent.

‘Biggest losers in all this’ are transit users: mayor

The STM said Monday that public transit users should “plan their trips accordingly” during the strike and to consider working remotely and try walking or cycling whenever possible.

With days left in the school year, the Centre de services scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys issued a notice to parents on Tuesday advising them of the upcoming strike and the importance of students making it to school for exam season. School officials recommend parents consider alternative transportation for their children or commuting to school earlier.

The STM will also hold a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the impact of the strike and more details about essential services.

“As mayor, I’m worried, of course, because I do believe public transit is part of — it’s essential for a lot of people,” said Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante on Tuesday.

The union representing mechanics says workers need to show how serious the reduction of services at the STM is.

They’re worried when the director says providing adapted transport through the STM isn’t part of the core business anymore, according to STM union president Bruno Jeannotte. “It’s very concerning for us.”

The STM chairperson points to budget issues, especially in light of reduced ridership and a feud over money from the province.

“We are in a situation where we have to fit into the money that is available for transit,” said chair Eric Alan Caldwell.

Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet only said he was “satisfied” Tuesday that both parties were able to maintain essential services.

With nine planned strike days so far, the mayor says it’s riders who will suffer the most.

“The biggest losers in all this is, really, the people that use public transit,” Plante said.

Last Saturday, STM bus and Metro operators also voted 99 per cent in favour of pressure tactics, including an unlimited general strike, according to their union. Their collective agreement expired on Jan. 5.

With files from CTV Montreal’s Kelly Greig and The Canadian Press