Here we go again, Montréal.
Just when you thought your morning commute couldn't get more interesting, November 2025 arrives with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) strike throwing a serious wrench into everyone's daily routine. I've been riding the metro and buses in this city for years now, and honestly? I feel your pain. The frustration when your carefully planned schedule falls apart, the anxiety of not knowing if you'll make it to work on time, the mental gymnastics of figuring out Plan B, C, and sometimes D—it's exhausting.
A few Novembers ago, I had one of those mornings that still makes me cringe. Picture this: a freezing morning, me in my best interview outfit, rushing to catch the metro for an early downtown meeting. Then—boom—"operational incident." Classic STM, right? I stood there on the platform, watching my phone tick closer to meeting time, eventually caving and grabbing an insanely expensive taxi while my stomach did somersaults. That helpless feeling when the city's transit system lets you down at the worst possible moment? Yeah, we might all be experiencing a lot of that this month.
But listen, this is about more than just getting to work or school. It's about our entire rhythm as a city—our carefully choreographed mornings, our tight budgets, our sanity. The good news? I've weathered enough of these transit disruptions to have picked up some survival strategies, and I'm here to share everything I know. Consider this your Montreal commuter's survival guide, written by someone who's been stranded at Berri-UQAM one too many times.
Let's rip off the band-aid and talk specifics. Understanding exactly what we're dealing with is step one in creating a game plan.
Everyone's asking the same question: "What are the exact dates and times for the Montréal bus and metro strike in November 2025?" Fair warning—it's complicated, and things keep shifting.
Here's the breakdown: roughly 2,400 maintenance employees (mechanics, service staff, the people who keep our buses and metros actually running) represented by the Syndicat du Transport de Montréal–CSN walked off the job on November 1st. They're planning to continue through November 28th. On top of that, CUPE Local 1983—representing about 4,500 bus drivers, metro operators, and station staff—held a 24-hour strike on November 1st and has more potential walkouts scheduled for November 15th and 16th.
Those dates—November 15th and 16th—are crucial. Mark them in red on your calendar. We're talking potential full shutdowns of both bus and metro services, just like what happened on the 1st. No service at all.
For the metro specifically, here's what you're looking at from November 2-28: drastically reduced hours. The trains will only run during peak times—6:30 AM to 9:30 AM, then 2:45 PM to 5:45 PM, and finally 11:00 PM until regular closing. That's it. Every day, including weekends. So if you usually hop on the metro at 10 AM for a leisurely Saturday brunch? Not happening.
Bus services during the November 2025 strike follow a similar restricted schedule: 6:15 AM to 9:15 AM, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and 11:15 PM to 1:15 AM daily, weekends included.
I cannot stress this enough—check the STM website or app before you leave home. Every. Single. Time. I know it feels tedious, but trust me, it beats standing in the cold at an empty bus stop wondering where you went wrong.
So why are STM workers striking in Montreal? It comes down to what a lot of labour disputes come down to: money and working conditions.
The maintenance crews want better wages and they're pushing back hard against the STM subcontracting their work to outside companies. Meanwhile, bus drivers and metro operators are fighting for improved pay and better working conditions. These aren't unreasonable demands—the cost of living in Montréal has skyrocketed, and these workers feel like their contracts haven't kept pace.
The negotiations have been dragging on forever. We're talking over 115 bargaining sessions since the collective agreement expired back in January 2025. That's nearly a year of back-and-forth with no resolution.
There's also this thing called Quebec Bill 89 floating around in the background. It's legislation that could limit the right to strike for workers in essential services (which definitely includes transit). Both the unions and even McGill faculty associations are challenging it, adding extra tension to an already strained situation.
When is a resolution expected for the Montréal transit strike? Honestly? Your guess is as good as mine. As I'm writing this in early November, there's no finish line in sight. Negotiations continue, but progress has been painfully slow. The smart money is on preparing yourself for this to drag out rather than banking on a quick fix.
Alright, enough doom and gloom. Let's talk solutions. This Montréal public transport disruption doesn't mean your life grinds to a halt—it just means getting creative and maybe stepping outside your comfort zone a bit.
The secret to navigating Montréal without metro or full bus service? Flexibility, forward planning, and keeping an open mind about how you get from A to B.
Here's some actually good news: Are commuter trains like Exo and REM running normally during the STM strike? Yes! The Exo train service operates independently from the STM, so if your route involves lines like Vaudreuil-Hudson, Saint-Jérôme, or Mont-Saint-Hilaire, you're golden. Same goes for the REM—the Réseau express métropolitain is chugging along unaffected.
The catch? Once you arrive at major hubs like Lucien-L'Allier or Bonaventure, you'll need a plan for getting to your final destination. That's where the other alternatives come in handy.
I know what you're thinking—"It's November, are you serious?" But hear me out. For short to medium distances, especially if you're near bike paths, BIXI bike availability in Montréal might save your sanity.
Can I still use BIXI bikes in November? Absolutely. The STM strike has actually pushed BIXI to expand service, keeping 234 stations open year-round across Montréal, Montréal-Est, and Westmount, with extra drop-off points added in high-traffic areas. Just be aware that seasonal memberships wrap up on November 15th, after which rentals are limited to those year-round zones.
Look, I won't lie to you—November biking in Montréal can be brutal. I once BIXIed from Plateau to Old Montréal during a late October cold snap, and by the time I arrived, my fingers were basically icicles and my nose wouldn't stop running. But you know what? I made it, I felt accomplished, and I didn't have to deal with traffic. Layer up, throw on some gloves and a toque, and you might surprise yourself. The electric BIXIs are particularly nice for tackling Mont-Royal without arriving at work completely drenched in sweat.
Just check the app constantly for bike and dock availability—popular stations empty out fast these days.
This is where your wallet starts crying, but sometimes you just need to get somewhere and alternatives aren't cutting it. How reliable are ride-sharing services like Uber during the Montréal transit strike? Mixed bag, honestly. During peak hours, demand spikes and so do wait times.
Price-wise, taxis have implemented a flat $50 rate to downtown during daytime hours. Uber says they're capping dynamic pricing during the strike, which is decent of them, but demand is still intense so expect some increases and longer wait times regardless.
Car-sharing services in Montréal—specifically Communauto and Leo—are fantastic alternatives if you've got a driver's license. If you haven't signed up yet, do it now. You can rent by the minute, hour, or day, and if you're splitting costs with coworkers or friends, it often works out cheaper than constant Uber runs. Just book ahead because availability during peak times is tight.
Don't underestimate the power of your own two feet. If your destination is within 30-45 minutes away, walking routes downtown Montréal can actually be pretty enjoyable when you're not fighting wind chill. You notice things you'd normally miss—cool shop windows, interesting architecture, the rhythm of different neighbourhoods. Plus, it's free exercise.
And then there's carpooling—probably the most underutilized solution. Carpooling solutions in Montréal really shine during strikes. Reach out to coworkers, classmates, neighbours who work or study near you. I've seen entire WhatsApp groups spring up overnight during previous disruptions, just people coordinating rides. It's genuinely heartwarming how Montrealers band together when things get tough.
Let's address the situations that are probably keeping you up at night.
November means hockey season, and Montréal Canadiens home games pack the Bell Centre. How does the strike impact travel to games in November? It's tricky. Normally, thousands of fans descend via metro. But with metro and bus services suspended from 5:45 PM to 11:00 PM on game nights (including November 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 20, and 22), you've got a problem getting home.
Your best Montréal Canadiens game transport alternatives: walk from Bonaventure or Lucien-L'Allier if you're taking Exo or REM, budget for ride-sharing (and its potential surge pricing), or organize a carpool with fellow fans. For taxis and ride-shares, the corner of Saint-Antoine West and Sainte-Cecile is your pickup/drop-off spot.
Pro tip: grab dinner nearby after the game to let the post-game chaos die down before trying to snag a ride. Better yet, find someone driving and offer to chip in for parking.
The impact of the Montréal strike on students hits particularly hard. When you're relying entirely on public transit to get to classes, labs, exams, and part-time jobs, this kind of disruption turns your whole life upside down.
My advice? Communicate with your professors—most are understanding during transit strikes and might offer flexibility. Form study groups with people nearby and share rides. Check your university's resources too. For example, McGill's student-run DriveSafe provides late-night campus transportation Thursday through Saturday, 11 PM to 3 AM, and they're exploring daytime shuttle options within a certain radius.
Consider temporarily staying closer to campus if possible, or invest in a decent used bike for shorter commutes. This is survival mode—do what you need to do.
Critical question for many: Are paratransit services continuing during the Montréal strike? Yes, thankfully. Paratransit operation in Montréal isn't affected by these strikes since it's designated as an essential service for people with mobility challenges. However, double-check directly with STM's paratransit division for any updates or potential delays from general traffic congestion. Always better to confirm.
Flying out or picking someone up? The Montréal airport transport situation gets complicated during strikes. The 747 bus—our main direct link to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport—will be hit by service disruptions. If you've got a flight during the November 15th-16th potential shutdown or other limited service periods, plan ahead.
Commuter trains run to the airport station for just $3.75 (regular fare), but the station is about 25 minutes on foot from the terminal, and midday inbound departures are sparse. For peace of mind, pre-book a taxi or private shuttle, even if it costs more. Build in extra travel time, especially if you're mixing Exo/REM with a final ride-share leg.
The question everyone's asking: Am I eligible for a refund on my STM monthly or weekly pass? Unfortunately, no regular compensation is being offered for service disruptions. Only unused monthly passes qualify for refunds, while other fare types may be exchanged per ARTM policy.
It stings, I know. Paying full price for partial service feels deeply unfair. But that's where we're at.
In situations like this, good information is everything. To effectively navigate daily routine changes in Montréal and make your commuter strike strategy work, you need real-time updates.
The best source for Société de transport de Montréal updates is their official website (stm.info) and social media—Twitter/X usually has the fastest alerts. Download the STM app and turn on push notifications if possible.
I learned this lesson the hard way. Once, I relied on an old schedule I'd seen posted somewhere, assuming it was current. The route had been altered for construction and I completely missed it. Ended up late for a family dinner feeling like an idiot. Now? I check before every single trip, no exceptions.
The Montréal bus metro strike in November 2025 is tough on everyone who lives here. It really drives home just how essential our public transportation system is—it's the circulatory system of this city, connecting neighbourhoods, workers, families, students, everyone.
While the current situation is frustrating as hell, the underlying issues matter. Fair wages, reasonable working conditions, proper maintenance—these things affect the long-term health of our transit system. We all want this resolved yesterday, but we also want it resolved properly so these workers are treated fairly and our system works better for everyone.
So there you have it—your comprehensive survival guide for navigating this transit mess. The core strategy is simple: plan ahead, stay flexible, and pack your patience.
Walk more than you usually would. Give BIXI a try even in the cold. Organize carpools with coworkers. Make peace with delays and detours and last-minute plan changes. Is it ideal? No. Is anyone pretending it is? Also no.
But here's the thing about Montrealers—we're tough. We've survived ice storms that knocked out power for weeks. We've endured construction detours that made no logical sense. We've navigated orange cone seasons that lasted entire summers. We'll get through this too.
Look out for each other. Offer rides when you can. Share information. Check on neighbours who might be struggling with limited mobility. Help students who look lost trying to figure out alternative routes. That's what makes this city special—not just the bagels and poutine, but how we show up for each other when things get hard.
Stay warm out there, bundle up for those BIXI rides, and remember—this too shall pass. Eventually, we'll be back to complaining about regular metro delays like the good old days.
Happy (alternative) commuting, Montréal. We've got this.
I’m Shakhan I’ve spent years exploring Montreal’s neighborhoods, restaurants, and cultural events, sharing hidden gems and unique experiences with readers. I combine personal adventures with practical tips to help you enjoy the city like a local.
In the bustling city of Montreal, the demand for flexible workspaces has skyrocketed in recent years. As more professionals embrace the freedom of remote work and entrepreneurship, coworking spaces have become a vital part of the city's business landscape. These shared work environments offer a unique blend of productivity, community, and convenience that traditional offices […]
As someone who has explored Montreal’s food, culture, and wellness scene deeply, I can confidently say this city knows how to pamper. Beyond the cobblestone streets and cafés lies a vibrant spa culture—one that blends Nordic tradition, urban luxury, and holistic healing. Whether you’re visiting Montreal for the weekend or you're a busy local seeking […]
Montreal, if you're like me, your day is built around the STM. That daily ritual of swiping your OPUS card, waiting on the platform, and navigating the city has become second nature. But that routine is about to change dramatically. The Montreal STM strike September 2025 is officially underway, and the impacts will be felt […]
