Toward a more efficient organization

News

Over the past few months, the STM has implemented a series of concrete actions to support an organizational transformation that will eventually allow it to increase its maintenance capacity and deliver the bus service promised to its customers.

Over the past few months, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has implemented a series of concrete actions to support an organizational transformation that will eventually allow it to increase its maintenance capacity and deliver the bus service promised to its customers. A transformation of this scope cannot be achieved without some issues regarding the bus network and, in particular, customer satisfaction.

Today, the STM wishes to clarify certain points and reassure customers about the reasons for the shortage of buses on the network. It would like to reiterate that, despite this unavoidable situation, the STM and its employees are doing everything they can, every day, to ensure that the 1,425 buses needed during peak periods are on the road.

A first for the STM

Since October, the STM has mandated Nova Bus to perform the maintenance work recommended in service bulletins. This was done to maximize space and focus on maintenance, particularly maintenance required by the SAAQ and that resulting from emergencies on the road. The service bulletins are manufacturer recommendations and represent close to 50,000 work hours to ensure increased vehicle reliability.

Reopening of the Saint-Denis bus garage

The STM will benefit from increased efficiency and capacity with the reopening of the Saint-Denis bus garage in the first weeks of January 2020. Three other bus garages are currently being expanded, and even though the maintenance capacity has temporarily decreased as a result, it will eventually increase.

New employees

Since last July, the STM has hired maintenance employees who will work evening and weekend schedules, as per the new collective agreement. Around 80 new mechanics are currently undergoing training with experienced personnel to ensure knowledge sharing. These new employees will gradually become functional as of January 2020.

New computer system

Finally, to support the organizational transformation and improve our processes, the STM implemented a new planning and procurement system for parts required for bus maintenance on October 21. The new system is complex, and it has slowed the pace of work slightly as employees are familiarizing themselves with it.

The STM is aware of the impacts of this transformation. It remains confident, however, that with the cooperation and expertise of its employees and management teams, it will pay off and improve both the organization and its bus service within reasonable timelines.