This week, it’s going to be complicated to get around Montreal… The Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) is on strike, and the flow of subways and buses in the city is considerably reduced – and will be for the next 9 days.
Here’s everything we know about the STM strike!
What strike?
It’s a strike that was announced some time ago, and it’s the maintenance employees -members of the Syndicat du transport de Montréal- who are on strike as of this morning.
The reason for the strike is their demand for better working conditions and a reduction in the use of subcontractors.
Negotiations between the STM and maintenance employees are underway, but have yet to reach a consensus.
The strike began on Monday June 9 at midnight, and is scheduled to end on Tuesday June 17 at 11:59pm.
Disruptions
Bus and metro traffic will be considerably reduced this week, with the exception of the F1 Grand Prix weekend (June 13, 14 and 15).
June 9, 10 and 11
Subways will be open only during rush hours, and outside these times the subway will be completely closed.
Note that the end time is not that of the last departure, but that of the last arrival of the metro. After that, nothing runs.
- from 6.30am to 9.38am
- from 2.45pm to 5.48pm
- from 11pm to 1am
Buses will operate normally during rush hours, and outside these times no buses will run. This includes night buses.
- 6.15am to 9.15am
- from 3pm to 6pm
- 11pm to 1:15am
June 12th
Subways will operate normally during rush hours, and outside these times service will be reduced by 50% (one subway in two).
- from 6.30am to 10.38am
- from 2.45pm to 6.48pm
- from 11pm to 1am
Buses will operate normally during peak hours, and outside these times service will be reduced by 50%, including night buses.
- from 6.15am to 10.15am
- from 3pm to 7pm
- 11:15pm to 1:15am
June 13, 14 and 15
Subways operate normally -yay! Buses too, including night buses.
June 16 and 17
Subways will operate normally during rush hours, and outside these times service will be reduced by 50% (one subway in two).
- from 6.30am to 9.38am
- from 2.45pm to 5.48pm
- from 11pm to 1am
Buses will operate normally during peak hours, and outside these times service will be reduced by 50%, including night buses.
- from 6.15am to 9.15am
- from 3pm to 6pm
- 11:15pm to 1:15am
Paratransit remains fully operational for the duration of the strike.
What can we do?
Well, if we can adapt our working hours, or even do some tete-tete-work, that’s the best of all worlds. But, of course, we can’t all do that.
You can take a bike, with the bixi company – the electric bikes that are everywhere in Montreal, and to find out more, click here! Wearing a helmet is mandatory when using an electric bike, and recommended for cycling in general. It’s going to be very busy on the bike paths…
Otherwise, if we can, we’ll walk – we know it’s not possible for everyone – but a long walk, now that the fine particles from the Plains forest fires are evaporating from the Montreal air, could do us all some good! And when you walk, you get a tan (bonus for those of you who don’t mind)!
Good luck to the STM’s maintenance staff in their negotiations, and good luck to everyone in getting around town until the 17th!