The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) confirmed on September 14, 2026 that its bus and metro service levels are now lower than they were a decade ago, attributing the decline to limited funding.
The transit agency said its current budget does not cover the full range of routes and frequencies that were maintained ten years earlier. As a result, STM has been forced to trim several bus lines and reduce the number of trains on key metro corridors.
STM officials explained that the organization is attempting to deliver the maximum possible service within the financial constraints it faces. They highlighted that operating costs have risen faster than the agency’s revenue, leaving a gap that has been filled by service cuts.
Over the past ten years, the Montreal transit authority has progressively eliminated under‑utilised routes and lowered the frequency of many others, a pattern that officials say reflects a broader funding shortfall across the province’s public‑transport systems. The agency noted that without additional funding, further reductions may be inevitable.
The STM’s statement comes amid ongoing debates about how to fund public transportation in Quebec. While the agency is exploring efficiency measures and potential partnerships, it underscored that any increase in service would require a corresponding rise in the operating budget.
Commuters have reported longer wait times and crowded trains as a result of the reduced schedule, but the STM maintains that it is delivering the highest possible level of service given the resources available.