1. What is the STTR?
The STTR, or Société de transport de Trois-Rivières, is the bus authority serving Trois-Rivières and its sectors like Cap-de-la-Madeleine. It is an affordable, reliable service for those without a car, especially for reaching the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.
2. How do you pay for a ride?
You can pay in cash on board ($4.00), but the fare is cheaper with the Carte Cité ($3.60 a trip from its electronic purse). This rechargeable card holds an electronic purse for single trips or a monthly pass. Youth aged 21 and under — a category that covers most students — get a reduced monthly fare.
3. The main lines
STTR operates around 18 lines across the city.
Several lines connect directly to UQTR, notably lines 5, 6, 9, 14, 16, 26, 50 and 60. Others cover Cap-de-la-Madeleine (lines 8 and 17), Sainte-Marthe-du-Cap (lines 2 and 10), Saint-Louis-de-France (line 12) and Pointe-du-Lac (lines 9 and 89).
Frequency varies by line and time of day — tighter during peak hours, more spread out in the evening and on weekends.
Check the trip planner on the official STTR site or the Transit app for your route's exact schedule.
4. Fares and STTR card
Current fares (2026):
- Adult cash: $4.00, exact change required
- Carte Cité (the transit card): $5.00 without photo, $8.00 with photo
- Adult monthly on card: $81.00
- Youth monthly (21 and under): $66.00
- Senior monthly (65+): $62.60
- Social tariff for people in vulnerable situations aged 22 and over, admitted through an accredited community organization: $40.50
- Children 11 and under: travel free when accompanied by a person 12+ with a valid pass (max 4 children)
- Full-time UQTR students (Trois-Rivières campus): UQTR proposed Écopasse-UQTR, unlimited STTR bus for $40 per session (fall 2026) instead of $80, paid through a mandatory fee added to tuition; the project was to be put to an online student vote in March 2026 — check with UQTR whether it is in force before paying full fare
Where to buy/reload the card: the no-photo card is sold by STTR retailers (convenience stores, pharmacies…); the photo card is issued only at STTR customer service, 246 rue Saint-Roch. You can also reload online in your Espace client.
| Fare / pass | Price (CAD) | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Adult cash on board | $4.00 | Occasional rider |
| Carte Cité (no photo / with photo) | $5.00 / $8.00 | All users |
| Adult monthly on card | $81.00 | Regular commuter |
| Youth monthly (21 and under) | $66.00 | Youth |
| Senior monthly (65+) | $62.60 | Seniors |
| Children 11 and under | Free with an accompanying valid pass | Children |
| Social tariff | $40.50 | Vulnerable clientele |
5. Practical tips for using STTR
Practical tips:
- Transit app or Google Maps: track buses in real time
- Bike racks at the front, free and now offered year-round — useful for combining bike and bus
- Winter: allow a few extra minutes — snow can delay
- Intercity: STTR doesn't serve Montréal/Quebec City — use Orléans Express from the Trois-Rivières bus station (275 rue Saint-Georges, entrance on rue Saint-Roch)
- No passenger train: Trois-Rivières has no VIA Rail passenger service
Uber is available in Trois-Rivières, alongside local taxi companies:
- Book via the Uber app, or call a local taxi company
6. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on STTR: living carless in Trois-Rivières, accessibility for reduced mobility, and Montreal travel options.
Can you live without a car in Trois-Rivières?
Yes — if you live:
- Downtown
- Near UQTR
The STTR covers the urban core reasonably well, with several lines connecting UQTR directly.
Harder without a car: Saint-Louis-de-France, Pointe-du-Lac, other outlying sectors.
Many students manage carless for years.
Out-of-town trips: Orléans Express buses are the main option (Trois-Rivières has no VIA Rail passenger service). Uber and local taxis fill the rest.
If you're not near a frequent line, budget for the occasional taxi or rideshare.
A car means insurance, gas, maintenance, tires and parking — significant savings without one if your daily life fits the bus.
Is STTR accessible for people with reduced mobility?
Yes — on its regular routes you can ask the driver to lower the access ramp or to lower the floor to the curb, plus a dedicated service de transport adapté for people who can't use the regular network.
- Wheelchair spaces: a reserved area on board; manual and electric wheelchairs are accepted, scooters within set dimensions
- Service de transport adapté (door-to-door, shared): by reservation only, after admission — a doctor or health professional fills in part of the application form, and the admission committee answers in writing within 45 days, so apply well ahead
- For details, see the transport adapté page on the STTR site (sttr.qc.ca)
Guide dogs and service dogs are always welcome on board.
How to get to Montreal from Trois-Rivières without a car?
Orléans Express (bus) is the main option — Trois-Rivières has no VIA Rail passenger train service.
Orléans Express:
- Four departures a day to Montréal (downtown) from the Trois-Rivières bus station (275 rue Saint-Georges), on the Québec City–Montréal route
- Cost: varies with the date and ticket type — check the price when you book on the Orléans Express site
- Duration: about 1 h 45 to 2 h 35 depending on the departure
Reservation recommended, particularly on Friday and Sunday.
For frequent travelers: the Bon Point rewards program gives a free ticket for 1,000 points.
7. See also
To go further on getting around Trois-Rivières:
- Read first steps in Trois-Rivières to combine STTR, 311 and municipal services.
- Discover UQTR and student life in Trois-Rivières to activate the student pass at the start of term.
- See finding housing in Trois-Rivières to target downtown if you don't have a car.
8. Official sources
For real-time schedules, fares, and trip planning, see these resources:
- Société de transport de Trois-Rivières (STTR, French only)
Author's Note: If you study at UQTR, check at the start of term whether you qualify for the youth pass (21 and under) or the Écopasse-UQTR program. Many newcomers pay full fare in their first semester without knowing they qualify for a discount.
