Métro, bus service dramatically reduced on first day of STM maintenance worker strike

Montreal Gazette

5 days ago

Bus and métro service scaled back significantly Monday as STM maintenance workers began a nine-day strike, the first STM worker strike since 2007.
Kmar arrived at Laurier métro just after 6 a.m. to find the doors locked. 'Oh my God,' she said. 'That's not good news.' She said she had thought the métro was opening sooner and that she would likely be late to work.
'I'm going to walk,' she said.
By 6:10 a.m., a crowd had begun to gather outside the doors, which remained locked. A worker told commuters that the doors would open at 6:20 a.m.
The first métro rolled into Laurier station at 6:29 a.m. … and then rolled back out without stopping.
Commuters wait outside the fare gates at Laurier métro station on the first day of a nine-day STM maintenance worker strike. The métro is set to open at 6:30 a.m. today before closing until the evening rush hour. @mtlgazette pic.twitter.com/XOWtyXql5t
— Jack Wilson (@jackdlwilson) June 9, 2025
Buses and métros will run during limited hours until Thursday, when an all-day service will return, but with reduced frequency. Full service will be restored Friday in time for the Grand Prix weekend. Service frequency reductions will return June 16 and 17, which is scheduled to be the last day of the strike.
Buses will run from 6:15 to 9:15 a.m., 3 to 6 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m. from Monday to Wednesday, while métro service will run from 6:30 to 9:38 a.m., 2:45 to 5:48 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The strike comes after the STM and the union representing maintenance workers failed to reach an agreement at the bargaining table. Both sides remain at odds over schedules, the use of subcontractors and questions of staff retention and attraction.
This story was originally published June 9, 2025 at 6:32 AM.