If you’re planning to hop on the metro or catch a bus in Montreal today, you might want to think again. The city’s facing another major disruption as the STM Strike officially begins, and it’s not just a quick hiccup – we’re talking about two weeks of seriously limited transit service.
Monday morning commuters are finding half the metro stations closed and service severely limited. Montreal’s dealing with its second transit disruption in less than three months as maintenance workers from the STM have launched another strike.
What’s Actually Happening During This STM Strike?
This isn’t your typical “everything stops” kind of strike. The workers are being pretty strategic about it. The STM Strike runs from September 22 to October 5, but it’s only hitting service on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Smart move, right? They’re targeting the busiest weekdays while letting people get around normally on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends.
But don’t think that makes it any easier.
During the STM Strike days, the metro only runs from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., then again from 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., and finally from 11 p.m. to closing. So if you need to get somewhere between 9:30 AM and 2:45 PM? Good luck with that.
Why Another STM Strike Now?
You might be wondering why we’re dealing with another STM Strike when we just had one a few months back. Well, it’s all about money and working conditions – the same stuff that causes problems in pretty much every workplace, just on a much bigger scale.
The maintenance workers aren’t happy with the latest offer from the STM, and honestly, who can blame them for wanting better conditions? The union quickly rejected the STM’s latest offer, making this strike pretty much inevitable. These are the folks who keep our trains running and our buses rolling, so when they’re frustrated, it affects everyone who relies on transit.
Getting Around During the STM Strike
“Between the STM strike and trucker protest, it will be hard to get in and around Montreal on Monday,” officials warned, and they meant it. The timing is terrible – there’s also a separate trucker protest happening that’s making traffic even worse.
Here’s what you need to know about getting around during this STM Strike:
Metro Service: Only during rush hours and late night. That’s it. Stations close gradually as the last train leaves each service block, so don’t get stuck somewhere without a way home.
Bus Service: Bus service operates from 6:15 a.m. during strike days, but expect major delays and packed vehicles during the limited hours.
Good News: Paratransit services continue running at all times, so people who depend on these services won’t be completely stranded.
The reality? You’re probably going to be late for appointments and meetings. Expect delays to become part of your daily routine.
What This STM Strike Means for Students and Workers
If you’re a student trying to get to class, this STM Strike is definitely going to mess with your routine. Concordia University confirmed that in-person classes will continue despite the strike, but getting there? That’s a problem to figure out.
For workers, it’s the same story. Companies aren’t shutting down because of the STM Strike, so you’ll need to plan ahead. Maybe it’s time to dust off that bike, carpool with friends, or just accept that walking might become your new best friend.
Some people are already talking about working from home more during the STM Strike, which honestly makes a lot of sense. Why deal with all the transit hassles when you can avoid them?
The Bigger Picture Behind This STM Strike
This whole situation shows how much we rely on public transit in Montreal. When the STM Strike hits, it doesn’t just affect commuters – it ripples through the entire city. Restaurants see fewer customers during lunch hours, stores lose foot traffic, and even the environment takes a hit as more people drive.
The maintenance workers know this, which is probably why the STM Strike strategy focuses on the busiest days. They’re not trying to completely shut down the city, but they definitely want to be heard.
Planning Your Next Two Weeks
The STM Strike isn’t going away anytime soon. Service will be reduced for six days total during the strike period, so you’ve got time to figure out alternatives.
Maybe this is the perfect excuse to explore parts of the city you usually zoom past on the metro. Or perhaps it’s time to finally try that bike-sharing program you’ve been curious about. Some people might even discover they actually enjoy walking to work.
The key is staying flexible and not letting the STM Strike completely ruin your day but it’s also temporary. The city will keep moving, just a bit slower and with people finding new ways to get around.
Who knows? By the time this STM Strike ends on October 5th, you might have found a completely new way to navigate Montreal that you actually prefer.
