Montreal Transit Halts Saturday Amid Bus and Metro Driver Strike
Montreal’s public transit system faces a complete shutdown on Saturday due to a planned strike by bus drivers and Metro operators. The strike is set to commence at 4 a.m. and will last for 24 hours, ending just before 4 a.m. on Sunday. During this period, no buses or Metro trains will be operating.
Details of the Transit Strike
The Quebec labour tribunal has authorized the strike, which follows a decision made on Thursday. This strike comes shortly before a month-long walkout by the transit maintenance workers’ union, starting on Friday at 10 p.m. In a ruling, the tribunal stated that the strike does not pose any health or safety risks and noted that no agencies requested increased service levels.
Aéroports de Montréal Request
Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) requested the continuation of the 747 bus line during the strike. However, this request was denied.
Key Features of the Strike
- Strike Duration: 24 hours from 4 a.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday.
- Services Affected: All bus and Metro services will be halted.
- Future Strikes: The drivers’ union, SCFP 1983, has signaled potential strikes on November 15 and 16.
Impact of Maintenance Workers’ Strike
In addition to the drivers’ strike, maintenance workers will also initiate their third strike this year. This strike, expected to last a month, will limit regular transit service to rush hours and late-night periods, beginning October 31. Paratransit services will remain fully operational.
Public Announcement
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will conduct a news conference at 9 a.m. on Friday to provide updates about the ongoing strike concerns.
Transit Service Schedule During the Strike
If strikes proceed, the adjusted service schedule before and during the strike will be:
| Service Type | Operational Hours During Strike |
|---|---|
| Bus Service | 6:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Night service: 11:15 p.m. – 1:15 a.m. |
| Metro Service | 6:30 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. Night service: 11:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. |
The upcoming strikes highlight ongoing tensions within Montreal’s transit system, emphasizing the need for negotiations to ensure continued operations.
