Laval Transit Agency Warns of Bus Service Cuts Due to Parts Shortage

The Société de transport de Laval (STL) has issued a warning to commuters, advising them to double-check their bus schedules starting Tuesday. The transit agency cites an "exceptional situation" stemming from difficulties in its internal parts-supply chain and equipment management, which has left it without enough buses to maintain full service.

Service Reductions and Impact

The STL announced that approximately 60 of its 2,500 daily bus trips will be cancelled. This includes 39 departures during the morning rush hour and 23 in the afternoon, representing a 2.6-per-cent reduction in overall service. The agency estimates that around 1,980 clients will be affected by these changes.

Josée Roy, STL general manager, emphasized that this decision was necessary under the circumstances. "This is the only possible decision under the circumstances, as we must act responsibly to prioritize the safety of our customers and employees," Roy stated. "We are committed to proactively and transparently communicating the evolving situation to our customers."

Duration and Prioritization

The disruptions are expected to last for a minimum of four to eight weeks. To minimize the impact, the STL has prioritized trips that are:

Less frequent
Very busy
Connect with the first and last métro trains
On school lines

Weekend trips will not be affected by the service reductions. However, the agency noted that it cannot guarantee accessible vehicles on accessible routes during this period.

Additional Challenges and Resources

The difficult winter weather, including a potential ice storm forecasted for Wednesday, has compounded the problem. Transit users are encouraged to verify their routes through multiple channels:

Visit the STL website at stlaval.ca for a list of affected departures
Call customer service at 450-688-6520
Text their stop number to 511785
Sign up for alerts in the STL Passenger Zone
Use trip planners like Google Maps or Transit

Roy reassured customers that efforts are underway to resolve the issue. "Rest assured that our teams are working tirelessly to restore service as quickly as possible," she said. "Needless to say, we will communicate a more precise schedule as soon as we have it. Our priority is to minimize the impact on our customers."