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):
- Cash fare: $4.00 (exact change, no change given)
- Adult monthly: $83.50 (rechargeable card)
- Youth monthly (17 and under): $69.00 · Senior monthly (65+): $55.50
- Ticket booklets: single ticket $3.70, booklet of 5 tickets $18.50, booklet of 12 tickets $44.40 — 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: $4.00 — same price as a regular cash 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 | ~$83.50/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.
