The morning rush came to a grinding halt across Montreal today as STM maintenance workers launched a strike affecting metro and bus services throughout the city. What started as whispers of potential service disruptions materialized into reality, leaving thousands of commuters scrambling to find alternative transportation.
“I’ve been waiting for nearly 40 minutes,” sighed Marie Tremblay, clutching her travel mug at the Berri-UQAM station. “My supervisor isn’t happy, but what can I do?”
The strike stems from ongoing contract negotiations between the maintenance workers’ union and the Société de transport de Montréal. Union representatives point to working conditions and compensation as the central issues, while STM management insists they’ve presented fair offers during months of talks.
This morning, metro service operated at roughly 60% capacity, with the Orange and Green lines running at extended intervals. The Blue line remained entirely shut down, while the Yellow line offered limited service. Bus routes across the island faced similar challenges, with only essential corridors maintaining partial service.
Mayor Valérie Plante addressed the situation during an impromptu press conference at City Hall. “We respect workers’ rights to negotiate, but essential transportation remains critical for our city’s functioning,” she stated. “We encourage both parties to return to the table immediately.”
For students like Jean-Philippe Moreau, a CEGEP student at Dawson College, the timing couldn’t be worse. “Finals start next week, and now I need to figure out how to get across town without being late,” he told me while checking ride-sharing apps on his phone.
The economic impact extends beyond inconvenience. The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal estimates daily losses could reach millions if small businesses see reduced foot traffic and employees cannot reach their workplaces efficiently.
“C’est vraiment difficile pour les petits commerçants,” noted Sophia Karim, who runs a café near Lionel-Groulx station. “When the metro doesn’t run normally, I lose almost half my morning customers.”
STM has implemented emergency measures, including free BIXI bike access for monthly pass holders and coordination with taxi services. However, these alternatives proved insufficient during today’s morning commute, particularly as November’s chill made cycling less appealing for many.
The transit authority recommends commuters check the STM website before traveling, as schedules remain unpredictable. Spokesperson Michel Labonté indicated that service levels may fluctuate throughout the strike period, depending on staff availability.
For now, Montrealers are adapting as they always do. Carpooling groups have sprung up overnight on social media, while some employers have temporarily relaxed attendance policies. Walking the streets this morning, I noticed more people than usual trudging along de Maisonneuve boulevard, collars turned up against the wind.
The transit strike serves as yet another challenge for a city already navigating post-pandemic recovery and ongoing construction projects. As negotiations continue behind closed doors, the real story unfolds on platforms and at bus stops, where patience wears thin but Montrealers’ legendary resilience prevails.
Transit users can find the latest service updates at stm.info or by calling the customer service line, though wait times for information have reportedly exceeded 25 minutes today. Union representatives and STM management have scheduled another meeting tomorrow, offering a glimmer of hope that this disruption might be short-lived.
Until then, we’ll continue doing what Montrealers do best – adapting, helping one another, and occasionally muttering under our breath as we find new ways to navigate our beloved city.
