Montreal STM Strike Narrows Service, Back-To-Work Bill In Play

Published on Nov 11, 2025, 11:08 am CST

5 min read

Key points

STM confirms restricted metro and bus operations seven days a week through November 28, including weekends
Quebec's labour minister signaled readiness to table a bill this week to limit or end the strike
Paratransit, EXO commuter rail, and the REM are not part of the STM strike, offering limited alternatives
Airport links are affected, including the 747 bus to YUL, so allow extra time or consider taxis and rideshare
Additional strike days by drivers and operators on November 15 and 16 could further reduce service

Impact

Expect Longer Waits And Crowding: Headways widen outside rush windows, with constrained trains and buses at peak, and reduced coverage off-peak
Build Extra Buffer To And From YUL: Plan for longer transfer times on the 747 and connecting routes, or shift to taxis and rideshare
Use Non-STM Options When Possible: Consider EXO commuter rail and the REM where available, and check schedules before departing
Watch For Legislative Action: A back-to-work bill could alter service with little notice, so recheck plans daily
Pass Holders Track Usage: Document disrupted trips for possible post-strike fare remedies if offered

Montreal, Quebec, Canada is entering a second week of rolling transit limits as the Société de transport de Montréal, STM, continues a month-long strike, narrowing metro and bus service through November 28. The Quebec labour minister has indicated he is prepared to table legislation as early as Wednesday to restrict strike tactics or compel a return to work, raising the odds that service patterns could shift quickly this week. Travelers should expect longer headways, crowded peak periods, and added weekend risk around downtown connections and links to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, YUL. Recheck schedules the day you travel.

Société de transport de Montréal, STM

STM's strike page confirms restricted metro and bus operations seven days a week from November 2 to 28. Metro service opens later than usual, runs only during defined windows, and then again late at night until normal close. Paratransit is maintained. STM is publishing adjusted timetables and advises riders to use real-time tools before departing.

For the metro, STM lists three operating bands, mornings, afternoons, and late evening. Entrances remain closed before the morning start, so do not plan pre-6:30 a.m. trips via metro during the strike. Buses are running on reduced schedules all week, including weekends, with route-by-route changes.

Latest developments

On Tuesday, multiple outlets reported that Quebec's labour minister is readying a bill that could limit pressure tactics or order employees back to work, with movement expected as early as Wednesday. The minister has also discussed tools created earlier this year that can accelerate such orders. If tabled, the bill could change service patterns quickly, even before the current strike mandate ends on November 28.

Union notices also point to additional driver and operator strike days on November 15 and 16, which, if they proceed, would further constrain weekend service on top of the ongoing limits. STM has set a negotiation checkpoint around mid-month, but as of Tuesday there is no final agreement.

Analysis

How it works

STM's action involves multiple bargaining units that affect maintenance, station operations, bus drivers, and metro operators to varying degrees over the month. The essential-services framework keeps limited metro and bus service running during set windows on most days, but the headways widen and coverage thins outside those windows. This is why waits are longer, trains are more crowded, and late-night or weekend trips are more vulnerable to cancellations.

Getting to and from YUL during the strike

Airport surface access is affected because the 747 bus and other STM routes are on restricted timetables. The airport authority warns that, from November 1 to 28, STM schedules are reduced all week and that travelers should allow additional time. If you must rely on the 747, plan a wider cushion, especially for early-morning or late-evening flights. Otherwise, shift to taxis or rideshare for more predictable timing.

The REM, Réseau express métropolitain, is operating outside STM and remains available on parts of the network not covered by the strike. However, the REM airport station is not yet open, with commissioning now expected in 2027, so there is no direct REM train to YUL during this strike. EXO commuter rail is also outside STM and reported as unaffected by the STM strike. Always verify current status before you depart.

Downtown and corridor planning

If your trip involves downtown cores, expect higher pressure at key interchanges such as Berri-UQAM and Lionel-Groulx during the morning and afternoon bands. Build a 30 to 60 minute buffer on any connection that depends on a timed bus-to-metro, or metro-to-bus handoff. For short-haul city moves, walking the final segment can be faster than waiting for a bus in a thinning off-peak pattern. For regional connectors, consider EXO or the REM where those lines parallel your path, then complete the last mile by taxi.

Pass holders and remedies

STM has not posted a formal refund or credit program for November to date. If you are a monthly OPUS pass holder, keep a simple log of disrupted trips and save screenshots of canceled runs. Should STM or the city announce relief once the dispute ends, documented travelers are better positioned to claim a pro-rated credit. Monitor STM service updates and official notices for any changes to remedies or renewal guidance.

Final thoughts

Montreal's STM strike is narrowing capacity through November 28, and a provincial bill could force rapid changes. For the next two weeks, assume longer waits, crowded peaks, and a higher risk of weekend disruption, especially on airport links. Recheck service the night before and the morning of travel, then build extra buffer for any YUL transfer.