OPERATIONS BY SAAQ CONSTABLES DISRUPT PUBLIC TRANSIT NETWORKS ACROSS QUÉBEC, INCLUDING RTL
Longueuil, March 28, 2018 – Since this morning, service on several of the province’s public transit networks, including the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL), has been disrupted due to operations by Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) constables, who are pulling over buses and issuing fines for overweight vehicles. The reasons stated are various issues unrelated to user safety. These issues, which have been known for several years now, are currently the subject of talks between transit corporations and the government. We are waiting for the situation to return to normal.
All buses on the road in Québec are registered with the SAAQ, a government-run corporation. These buses travel problem-free in several other Canadian provinces, including Ontario, and their specifications are similar to those of the buses produced by all other North American manufacturers.
Today’s operations by the constables could significantly impact the services provided by the public transit corporations, as well as the users, who will unfortunately be inconvenienced. We are therefore calling on the government to intervene quickly in order to minimize the effects on users. Until then, the RTL will implement all possible measures to lessen the impacts.
About the RTL
The third-largest public transit organization in Québec, the RTL operates a network of 793 kilometres. With some 1,100 employees, the RTL is a major employer that contributes to the economic vitality of the region.
Ever receptive to its users, the RTL plays a key role in the lives of the people and the communities it serves by providing solutions that are efficient, innovative, and adapted to the evolving needs of its clientele. Improving quality of life for the citizens of the Agglomération de Longueuil is a top priority for the RTL.