The announcement of 22 layoffs at the Société de transport de Sherbrooke (STS) is shocking and raises serious concerns. How can these cutbacks be justified when the transit corporation is showing sustained growth and enviable results?
“Residents, transit riders and workers deserve clear answers and immediate transparency. Public transit is an essential service. STS vaguely referred to budget constraints and increased fuel costs, while ridership continues to increase! They are letting down the residents of an important city in Quebec,” said Maxime Leroux, CUPE 3434 president.
Let’s not forget that at its board meeting on April 22, STS presented a more than positive update in its 2025 annual report:
- 33% increase in ridership since the pandemic;
- 12% growth in 2024 and 5% growth in 2025;
- 54 new drivers hired in 2025.
In addition, there are several infrastructure projects: new lines, deployment of on-demand transportation, BIXI network development and electrification of the fleet. So why make staff cuts now – and only for urban drivers – in the middle of all this expansion?
“The decision is not only incoherent, but worrying. It raises serious questions about the ability of STS to maintain the quality of service and ensure sound management, in keeping with its development ambitions. On top of that, during municipal elections, the mayor said that public transit and moving people would be a priority for her administration,” said the union president in closing.
