Quebec's transit crisis deepens as cities demand $20B to save crumbling systems
A group representing Quebec’s municipalities is pushing for more funding to support struggling public transit systems. The call comes as agencies face a growing maintenance backlog and financial shortfalls, with Montreal’s metro and other infrastructure at risk. The Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) warns that without stable investment, services will continue to deteriorate. The Association du transport urbain du Québec estimates that transit agencies need $20 billion by 2035 just to maintain existing assets. On top of this, a $550 million funding gap threatens day-to-day operations in the coming years. The UMQ’s large cities caucus chair, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, also Gatineau’s mayor, stressed that reliable transit improves quality of life.
Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer criticised the provincial government’s inconsistent funding approach. He pointed to a stalled bus system project on Concorde Boulevard as an example of the ‘stop-and-go’ policy causing delays. Marquis-Bissonnette also highlighted a withdrawn grant for an electric bus garage in Quebec City, leaving the project in limbo. The municipalities are asking for predictable, long-term funding with less bureaucracy. They argue that current provincial micromanagement slows down essential upgrades, including repairs to Montreal’s ageing metro and a faulty lift in Sherbrooke. The Canadian Press published these findings on May 29, 2026.
Without urgent action, transit systems across Quebec risk further decline. The UMQ’s demands include stable funding and fewer administrative hurdles to keep services running smoothly. The report underscores that delayed investments will only increase costs and service disruptions in the long term.
