The Société de transport de Laval's (STL) C$171.3-million (US$132.6 million) 2021 budget has been adopted by the city of Laval.
In light of the pandemic, the STL says it adhered to a rigorous budgetary process in compliance with the funding conditions decreed by the government of Québec. As a result, the STL's budget management efforts will make it possible to provide transit users with a level of service in 2021 comparable to that of 2019 during peak hours, plus improved service outside of those hours.
"Given the circumstances, I am convinced that our budget management efforts satisfy both the ability to offer commuters a level of service that meets their needs and the obligation to budget responsibly," said STL General Director Guy Picard. "It is imperative that we avoid falling into the trap of reducing service, if we want to provide users with a safe environment and restore ridership. Also, in response to commuter requests, the STL will be upping its frequency on certain routes during peak hours."
If STL excludes the costs of rolling out the REM work mitigation measures and expenditures attributable to COVID-19, the 2021 budget has grown by 0.5 percent.
Since March 13, ridership on STL buses has dropped drastically compared to 2019, hitting its lowest point in April: 14 percent for regular bus service and 11 percent for paratransit service. To date, STL ridership stands at around 42 percent compared to last year.
In addition to causing revenues to drop, the pandemic also prompted a host of constraints and adjustments to vehicles, terminals and workplaces required to comply with the rules and directives issued by the province's public health authority and the CNESST provincial board overseeing labor standards, pay equity and workplace health and safety. This resulted in the STL spending C$3.2 million (US$2.4 million) in 2020, C$2.3 million (US$1.7 million) of which was covered by funding programs on various COVID-19-related measures. For 2021, the STL has earmarked C$2.8 million (US$2.1 million) for such measures, of which C$2.5 million (US$1.9 million) will be absorbed by aid programs.
Despite the difficulties encountered in 2020, public transit continues to play a central role in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while meeting the mobility needs of the region. The STL's 10-year capital plan, which focuses on development and innovation, is in line with the city of Laval's vision for growing public transit in Laval. The projected expansion and conversion of the operations center is the focal point of the plan, with a C$812.6-million (US$629 million) budget for the next 10 years.
2021 budget highlights
- The STL is projecting an increase in regular bus trips in 2021, to roughly 80 percent of 2019 ridership levels.
- By December 2021, STL paratransit trips are expected to reach 95 percent of the volume anticipated in 2020, or 391,061 trips. That is a 29 percent drop compared to the 2020 Budget.
- The STL is forecasting a 2.5-percent increase in kilometers travelled for 2021 compared to 2019, for a total of 18.2 million kilometers.
- As per the public transit emergency aid program put in place by the government of Québec, the ARTM will be injecting more than C$2.5 million (US$1.9 million) to offset additional expenses incurred for health and safety reasons.
- Nearly C$2.8 million (US$2.1 million) is being added to the 2021 budget for COVID-related costs: cleaning of rolling stock, housekeeping/maintenance, security, etc. These extra costs are directly attributable to the pandemic.
- C$0.7 million (US$541,866) is earmarked in the 2021 budget for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and by extension, contributing to improving quality of life for the population.
- Alongside the acquisition of the 10 electric buses to be delivered within the coming six months, the STL will also acquire the necessary charging infrastructure and stations. A total of C$4.9 million (US$3.7 million) has been budgeted, including C$1.3 million (US$1.006 million) for 2021-2022.
- Mitigation measures aimed at improving service during the REM construction work will cost C$8.8 million (US$6.8 million) in 2021, up C$4.4 million (US$3.4 million) compared to the 2020 budget.
- Preliminary work will continue on the garage expansion project, expected to be completed by 2024.
- The STL will be proceeding with its onboard credit card payment initiative. The rights of use having been finalized in 2020 for a contactless payment solution, all buses should be outfitted with the new system in 2021.
