The Société de transport de Laval (STL) welcomes the Government of Québec’s announcement of additional assistance for public transit sought by transit authorities. The extra $100 million for 2021 and 2022 comes at the right time as the STL laments efforts to revive public transit on its territory while ridership gradually goes back up. Since early November, ridership level on STL buses has hovered around 64% of the pre-pandemic level.

To maintain this encouraging momentum, the STL wants to avoid cuts to transit service on its territory. By the same token, the STL hopes the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) will forego any intention of reducing service to the public when setting the 2022 budget framework, so that the City of Laval and its transit agency can develop a transit offer that meets the needs of its clientele. 

Furthermore, the STL welcomes the government’s renewed support to develop public transit by increasing the Programme d’aide au développement du transport collectif (PADTC or public transit development assistance program) envelope.