Un autobus de la Société de transport du Saguenay.
1. The Société de transport du Saguenay
The Société de transport du Saguenay (STS) runs the bus network linking Chicoutimi, Jonquière and La Baie.
Network coverage:
- About 30 lines
- Serves: UQAC, Cégep de Chicoutimi, Cégep de Jonquière, Place du Royaume, hospitals in Chicoutimi and La Baie, Rio Tinto Arvida plants
Schedules:
- Monday to Saturday: full service
- Sunday: reduced service
- First buses: ~6 AM
- Last buses: ~11 PM
- No night service
2. Fares and passes
Main fares (2026):
- Adult cash: ~$3.75 (exact change, no change given)
- Adult monthly: ~$90 (rechargeable card)
- Students and seniors: reduced fares
- 10-trip tickets: savings vs cash
Student special case:
- UQAC and Cégep de Chicoutimi: the semester pass is often included in student-association fees
- Check at registration — savings of several hundred dollars per session
3. Taxibus for less dense areas
For less dense areas, STS offers a Taxibus service.
How it works:
- Phone reservation at least 30 minutes ahead
- A taxi picks you up
- Takes you to a transfer point or directly to destination
- Cost: $3.75 — same price as a regular ticket
Especially useful for:
- Seniors
- People with reduced mobility
- Rural or outlying zones
Schedule: Monday to Saturday, 7 AM to 10 PM. Book via the main STS number.
4. Driving remains more practical for most
In Saguenay, the car remains the main mode for most people.
Inter-borough distances:
- Chicoutimi to Jonquière: ~15 min by car
- Chicoutimi to La Baie: ~20 min
- By bus with transfers: can double the time
STS is useful for:
- Students living near campus
- Workers with fixed routes to Rio Tinto
- People without cars
For occasional, evening, or multi-store shopping trips: a car is almost always more practical.
Annual car cost: $8,000 to $12,000 (gas, insurance, maintenance) — the car isn't free.
The car stays faster and more flexible, but much more expensive. The bus is unbeatable for fixed routes to campus or a Rio Tinto plant, especially if the pass is subsidized by the student association. Without a car, always plan a plan B for evenings and Sundays.
| Trip / mode | Car | STS bus |
|---|---|---|
| Chicoutimi → Jonquière | ~15 min | 30 to 45 min |
| Chicoutimi → La Baie | ~20 min | Can double |
| UQAC from Jonquière | ~15 min | ~1 hour |
| Annual cost | $8,000 to $12,000 | ~$90/month |
| Night service | ✅ | ❌ |
| Sunday-evening service | ✅ | ❌ |
5. Combining with cycling and walking
Saguenay offers some good options for active transport — especially in summer:
- Véloroute des Bleuets: links Saguenay to Lac-Saint-Jean — about 256 km total, with shorter sections perfect for day rides
- Downtowns of Chicoutimi and Jonquière: bike-friendly
- Pedestrian amenities added recently
In winter, cycling isn't viable — snow and ice make streets unusable.
Walking stays useful for short distances in densely populated neighborhoods (downtown).
6. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on STS: typical inter-borough trip time, weekend frequency, and accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
How long does a typical Chicoutimi-Jonquière trip take by bus?
30 to 45 minutes including a transfer at one of the main stations.
Direct express lines: 25 to 30 minutes during peak periods, but don't run all day.
By car: 15 minutes door-to-door.
By bus, ALWAYS plan for double the car time.
For UQAC students living in Jonquière: plan 1 hour each way — many find it more practical to live near campus despite higher rent.
What's the frequency on Saturday and Sunday?
- Saturday: regular service on most lines, slightly reduced frequency in the evening
- Sunday: significantly reduced
- Many lines run only every 60 to 90 minutes
- Some lines don't run at all
- Last buses: ~6 to 7 PM
For Sunday evening returns after a family visit or event: plan a backup (car, Uber, friend, taxi).
Holiday Mondays (Easter, July 1, Christmas, etc.) often follow Sunday schedule.
Check the exact day's schedule on the STS site before leaving — schedules vary by line.
Is the STS network accessible for people with reduced mobility?
Most STS buses are low-floor with a front-door ramp — about 90% of the fleet in 2026.
The interior wheelchair spaces are reserved by signage.
For door-to-door service (rather than stop-to-stop), the STS offers Transport adapté:
- Reservation required
- Eligibility based on a medical certificate
- Registration delay: a few weeks
Several STS shelters lack benches or weather protection — a known issue the city is gradually improving.
7. See also
To go further on mobility in Saguenay:
- Read first steps in Saguenay to combine STS, 311 and municipal services.
- See finding housing in Saguenay to target a borough well served by your bus line.
- Prepare for the cold season with living through winter in Saguenay — when driving becomes a challenge.
8. Official sources
Author's Note: If you study at UQAC or Cégep de Chicoutimi, the monthly pass is often subsidized by the student association.
