STM has a budget of $1.7 billion in 2023, but it’s technically out of balance.

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According to documents released Monday, Montreal’s transportation agency continues to search for funds to balance the budget.

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Reporters looked at the Montreal Transport Association’s $1.7 billion budget, which includes a $77 million hole, so technically it won’t be balanced next year.

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Last year, the budget was submitted short of $43 million. STM Director Marie-Claude Léonard said that during 2022, STM could find all but his $18 million in funding.

So the $77 million shortfall in 2023 includes $18 million that STM failed to find to balance last year’s budget.

Leonardo said bus services will be affected by reduced frequency of buses, especially in downtown areas still affected by increased telecommuting. However, she said her 90% of bus routes would not be affected.

During the last year, bus commercial mileage decreased compared to the previous year. This was the second year in a row he reduced the number of buses offered by STM.