Quebec promises to fund Montreal transit to avoid service reduction
Quebec’s transport minister says he doesn't want to see a reduction in transit services after Montreal’s transit agency recent warning it may need to implement service cuts to make up for lost revenue.
Transport Minister François Bonnardel is promising to keep the STM on track, saying the provincial government is looking at providing it with additional funding.
“I understand that they want to reduce some services but we don't want to reduce service in Montreal or any transport corporation all over Quebec,” he said.
The pandemic saw STM ridership drop to around 20 per cent in March 2020. Current ridership is about half what it was pre-pandemic, meaning low revenue from fares.
Le Devoir reported earlier this month the STM is facing a $62-million shortfall in 2022 and the agency says it may have to cut service by up to 30 per cent to compensate.
That would mean less frequency for bus and metro services as well as reduced operating hours, something Bonnardel wants to avoid.
“We understand they will have a deficit over next two years,” he said. “We help all the transit companies for past years with amount of $1.4 billion.”
Transportation was a key issue in Thursday evening’s Montreal mayoral debate.
The candidates sparred over how to improve transit service, with Denis Coderre suggesting the budget deficit is a sign of mismanagement, taking a shot at Valerie Plante's focus on her proposed Pink line and on delays with the Blue line extension.
Plante, though, remained committed to those lines and to further expansion of the light-rail project, the REM.
Balarama Holness said more needs to be done to better integrate existing bus and metro services with the REM.
The STM won't decide on service cuts until after election day, on Nov. 7.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.