Does it pay to drive buses for the STM, STL and RTL? Here are the figures revealed in the evaluation report on transport companies ordered by the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault.
Société de Transport de Montréal (STM)
Joël Lemay / Agence QMI
Annual entry salary: approximately $60,200
As of November 2024, a driver who arrives at the STM earns $28.95/h, or a little more than $60,200 per year. Salary progression is then planned after 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months. After 36 months, the hourly rate reaches $34.95, an increase of more than $6 per hour over three years.
Average annual salary: $119,809
When questioned on the subject in 2022, STM spokesperson Philippe Déry clarified that several factors have an impact on the annual salary of some 4,500 drivers, such as seniority, but also overtime and public holidays. worked, or even evening and weekend bonuses.
The average annual salary includes overtime, it is specified in the performance audit.
A driver can also work as many overtime hours as he wants. The STM nevertheless affirmed that “employees are made aware on a regular basis of the importance of listening to fatigue signals and respecting their abilities.”
Laval Transport Company (STL)
Photo d’archives Agence QMI, MARIO BEAUREGAD
Annual starting salary: $62,000
This annual salary includes bonuses and overtime. To this amount is added a retirement plan and social benefits. The salary scale in place provides for an annual increase of 10% during the first three years.
Average annual salary: $110,318
The average salary of drivers at the STL, according to 2023 data compiled in the performance audit of transport companies, includes bonuses and overtime.
Generally, drivers reach this salary after only three years with the STL, the transport company said by email.
Longueuil transport network (RTL)
Joël Lemay / Agence QMI
Annual starting salary: approximately $52,000
The hourly wage for a new driver is $24.84, based on 2022 data. He will work 40 hours per week, his hourly wage will rise to $28.14 after a year and a half of service, and will reach a maximum of 33 $.11 after three years.
Average annual salary: $99,380
This is the average annual salary of a driver, including various bonuses and overtime, for 2023.
The RTL does not provide any limits for its drivers on this subject, the transport company clarified by email.
Exo (transport company of the municipalities of the crowns of Montreal)
Photo BEN PELOSSE
The transport company Exo, which serves the municipalities in the suburbs of Montreal, does not itself hire the drivers who travel on its bus routes. Since the drivers are employees of private companies, exo is therefore unable to provide us with their salaries.
