Three days of completely frozen transportation in Montreal? – what we know about the STM strike

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Since we’ve known about the Société des Transports de Montréal strike in November, we’ve been talking about its causes and possible consequences ad nauseum.

To read our article on the need for the strike and the complicated negotiations between STM management and the transit maintenance workers’ union, click here!

This time, we’re going to talk clearly about how the strike is going to affect us-because 2 weeks of carpooling with our boss who has dubious opinions to declaim in traffic was ok, but a month is going to be a long time. And we want our year-end bonus.

Montreal transit throughput during the strike

This is the third strike called by the Montreal public transit (bus, metro) maintenance workers’ union this year – the first in June 2025, then in September 2025. This third strike will last 28 days, from October 31 to November 28 (inclusively).

The STM’s communication service, “Info Grève”, has only a few (rather nebulous) details on service reductions during the strike.

A level of essential services will be maintained during the strike, according to the Tribunal administratif du travail (TAT), including :

• Paratransit service will be maintained at all times;
• Maintaining a certain level of bus and metro service;
• Possible representations to offer maximum service on election day, November 2.

On election day, November 2, 2025, service will be adapted so that people can take the metro to vote.

As far as we know, this means that subways and buses will be in operation during rush hour. Services will probably be 100% available from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the afternoon. For the moment, nothing has been confirmed.

Three days of frozen transport?

In addition to the strike notice (for 28 days) issued by the Montreal transit company’s maintenance department, a second strike notice threatens three days during the November period.

The Drivers, Operators and Related Services Employees union has filed a strike notice that is likely to affect transport even more on November 1, 15 and 16.

For these three days, we suggest you walk or bike to work if possible, and if not, plan a carpool, work from home or stay put… November 1 and 15 are Saturdays, and November 16 is a Sunday.

Good luck!