Montreal river shuttles record 500,000 trips despite shortened season

The Montreal metropolitan area's river shuttle service concluded its sixth season with nearly 500,000 trips recorded, despite a shortened operating period. Due to insufficient funding, the service operated for only 132 days compared to the usual 168, representing a 16% decrease in available departures.

Despite the reduced schedule, demand remained high. On routes serving Varennes, Pointe-aux-Trembles, and Boucherville, nearly half of the departures operated at over 80% capacity, and approximately one in four trips reached full capacity. An ARTM survey indicated that 96% of users are satisfied or very satisfied with the service.

The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) is preparing a call for tenders for the 2027–2031 seasons, though the award remains conditional on funding from the Quebec government. The ARTM has emphasized the need for stable and predictable provincial funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of the shuttle network.