Montreal commuters face continued service disruptions as the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) works to repair a widespread cooling system failure affecting approximately 180 articulated buses. The issue, first detected in late October, has led to crowding and cancellations on several routes, with the STM now estimating full service won’t be restored until December 23rd [[1]]. While the STM maintains the mechanical problem is separate from recent labor disputes [[2]], [[3]] the situation highlights ongoing challenges within the city’s public transit system.
Montreal’s public transit authority, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), is operating with a reduced number of articulated buses following the discovery of a widespread mechanical issue. Approximately 180 buses have been taken out of service for urgent repairs, and the STM anticipates a return to full capacity isn’t expected until December 23rd.
STM spokesperson Amélie Régis stated the transit authority expects to complete the repairs by December 23rd, returning the buses to service as they are fixed. The total cost of the repairs is estimated at approximately $150,000.
The issue surfaced on October 31st, coinciding with labor negotiations with maintenance employees. At that time, the STM proactively removed 181 of its 220 articulated buses from routes as a safety precaution.
The problem stems from a “failure of the engine cooling system,” which is critical for regulating engine temperature and ensuring optimal performance. The discovery prompted the immediate grounding of affected vehicles for inspection and repair.
The reduction in service has been noticeable to commuters, with reports of increased crowding on some routes and outright cancellations of scheduled departures. Articulated buses provide significantly higher passenger capacity, and their absence is straining the remaining fleet.
“I take the 121 every morning, and since the strike, only the smaller buses have been running. Is this normal? Either way, the experience isn’t pleasant, especially since the larger buses were already crowded during peak hours,” one commuter posted on Reddit this week.
No Connection to Labor Dispute
The STM has emphasized that the mechanical issue is unrelated to the recent labor dispute with maintenance employees. While that dispute caused disruptions to metro and bus service outside of peak hours for nearly two weeks in early November, regular vehicle maintenance continued throughout the period.
According to Régis, the mechanical defect was identified unexpectedly. As of today, “54 articulated buses have been repaired,” she confirmed.
Supply chain challenges have delayed the acquisition of replacement parts, contributing to the repair timeline. Repairs began on November 12th, with multiple vehicles being addressed daily, according to the spokesperson.
Bruno Jeannotte, president of the maintenance employees’ union, argues that preserving internal expertise is crucial to preventing similar service disruptions in the future.
“With all the work that will need to be done in the coming years to properly maintain the infrastructure, buses, and subway cars, outsourcing is far from the solution. We must focus on the expertise we have developed at the STM to continue providing quality service to users,” Jeannotte stated Tuesday.
Nova Bus, a Quebec-based manufacturer located in Saint-Eustache, has been informed of the situation and is “actively” collaborating on the parts replacement process. The STM operates a total fleet of approximately 2,000 buses, serving a 500-square-kilometer area across the metropolitan region.
