STM warns of major service cuts as second maintenance strike looms

Montreal is 10 days away from another bus strike by the STM's maintenance workers.

Montreal transit riders face a second maintenance workers’ strike in less than three months, with the public transit agency (Société de transport de Montréal – STM) warning that metro and bus service will be sharply reduced three days a week starting Sept. 22.

In a press release, the STM said it “acknowledges” the decision issued Wednesday by the Administrative Labour Tribunal establishing essential services during the strike period, which is scheduled from Sept. 22 to Oct. 5.

During the two-week period, the agency said service on the metro and buses will be reduced three times a week.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the metro will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and from 11 p.m. until closing.

The STM noted that stations will close gradually after the morning and afternoon rush periods, and fully at the usual closing time.

“The STM learned from the last strike in June and improved its communications for customer travel,” the agency said.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, buses will run from 6:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.

The agency added that all buses beginning their routes during these periods will continue to the terminus.

Paratransit service will be maintained at all times.

CEGEP student Erika Torres is worried about how she’ll be affected with her irregular schedule.

“Let’s say I have a class at six, how do I get home? Because the bus stops after six,” she said. “The strike is kind of inconvenient because I have classes at 1 or 2 p.m., and then how do I get to my class? I don’t want to get to school and wait three hours.”

“I live far so I essentially really need the metro,” she added.

The STM’s director of public affairs, Katherine Roux-Groleau said at a news conference Thursday that they are “fully committed to this negotiation.”

“We’ll do everything that we can with the mediator and the union to prevent this strike,” she said.

With files from CTV News Montreal’s Jack Richardson