Montreal’s STM Reports Ridership Decline, Service Modernization Efforts
The transit agency cites labor disruptions, demographic shifts, and evolving rider needs as it advances safety initiatives, paratransit changes, and major infrastructure projects across its network.
The Montreal agency reported 293.9 million trips in 2025, a 6.6% decrease compared to 2024.
Credit:
Société de transport de Montréal
2 min to read
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) released its 2025 Activity Report, outlining a year shaped by labor negotiations, ridership declines, safety initiatives, and major infrastructure projects aimed at modernizing Montreal’s public transit network.
STM reported 293.9 million trips in 2025, a 6.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Officials attributed the decline in part to demographic changes tied to new immigration policies, including a reduction in international students, a key transit user group. Service disruptions related to union strike activity during collective bargaining negotiations also impacted ridership.
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“Changes in how we do business combined with efforts to optimize our budget have made 2025 a decisive year for STM’s ability to continue to deliver efficient, reliable, safe, and cost-effective public transit in the years to come,” said STM CEO Marie-Claude Léonard in a statement.
Four of STM’s six union groups were engaged in negotiations throughout 2025. The agency said it worked to maintain essential service levels during strike actions while pursuing operational changes intended to support long-term service sustainability. As of May 7, four labor agreements had been ratified, with negotiations continuing for the remaining two unions.
Despite operational challenges, STM reported an approximately 10% decrease in overall customer complaints compared to 2024. Complaints related to metro service dropped 13%, while paratransit complaints fell 31%. Bus service complaints increased 6%, which STM largely attributed to strike-related disruptions.
Several major infrastructure initiatives advanced during 2025, including progress on the Blue Line extension project.
Credit:
Société de transport de Montréal
Safety, Accessibility, and Long-Term Network Sustainability
The agency also expanded safety and social coexistence measures across its network in response to increased incivility and declining perceptions of safety in the system. Temporary initiatives included mandatory circulation policies in stations, reconfigured station areas, and increased staff presence. STM said the positive results prompted an extension of the circulation requirement through April 30, 2026.
STM also announced changes to its paratransit operations. Beginning in 2026, external partners will fully operate the service as part of an effort to standardize operations, improve vehicle availability, and support the agency’s goal of zero trip denials amid growing demand driven by an aging population and evolving customer needs.
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Several major infrastructure initiatives advanced during the year, including progress on the Blue Line extension project. STM said the largest tunnel boring machine ever used in Quebec arrived to begin excavation of the 4.6-km tunnel extension. Construction also continued on five future stations, with project timelines and budgets remaining on schedule.
Additional projects completed in 2025 included the launch of the second section of the Henri-Bourassa bus rapid transit corridor, accessibility upgrades at Atwater station, and integration of the new Deux-Montagnes branch of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) with McGill and Édouard-Montpetit stations.
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