Le réseau d'autobus de la Société de transport de Trois-Rivières, ses tarifs et ses lignes principales en Mauricie.
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, but the fare is cheaper with the STTR card. This rechargeable card lets you buy single tickets or a monthly pass. UQTR students get a reduced fare.
3. The main lines
STTR operates about a dozen main lines:
- Lines 1, 2, 3 and 4: downtown, Cap-de-la-Madeleine, UQTR, Cégep de Trois-Rivières
- Line 4: particularly useful for students — links downtown to UQTR with high frequency
- Lines 5-10: outlying sectors (Sainte-Marthe-du-Cap, Pointe-du-Lac, Saint-Louis-de-France)
Frequency:
- Peak hours: every 15 to 30 minutes on main lines
- Evening and weekend: every 30 to 60 minutes
- No service at night after 11 PM
Plan your trips ahead on Saturday and Sunday.
4. Fares and STTR card
Typical fares (2026):
- Adult cash: $3.50
- STTR card: $6 one-time purchase, then reload
- Adult monthly on card: ~$80
- UQTR students: pass often included in registration fees via AGE UQTR — check your student record
- Seniors and children: significantly reduced fares
Where to buy the card:
- STTR service point: Saint-Maurice Street downtown
- Partner convenience stores: several across the city
Reload: online or at the same outlets.
| Fare / pass | Price (CAD) | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Adult cash on board | $3.50 | Occasional rider |
| STTR card (one-time) | $6.00 | All users |
| Adult monthly on card | ~$80 | Regular commuter |
| Seniors and children | Significantly reduced | 65+ and children |
| UQTR students via AGE | Included in tuition | UQTR students |
2026 fares. The STTR card is mandatory for reduced fares. UQTR students often have their pass already included via AGE UQTR — check your student record.
5. Practical tips for using STTR
Practical tips:
- Transit app or Google Maps: track buses in real time
- Bike racks at the front — useful for combining bike and bus in summer
- Winter: allow a few extra minutes — snow can delay
- Intercity: STTR doesn't serve Montréal/Quebec — use Orléans Express from the downtown terminal (place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville)
- VIA Rail: take line 4 to downtown then walk 10 minutes
Uber is NOT available in Trois-Rivières:
- Only taxi options: local companies
- Book by phone or via their respective apps
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.
Harder without a car: Saint-Louis-de-France, Pointe-du-Lac, other outlying sectors.
Many students manage carless for years.
Out-of-town trips: VIA Rail and Orléans Express are affordable.
Plan to spend $30 to $50/month on occasional taxi if you're not near a frequent line.
Car cost (insurance + gas + maintenance + tires + parking): $6,000 to $10,000/year — significant savings without a car if your daily life fits the bus.
Is STTR accessible for people with reduced mobility?
Yes — over 90% of STTR buses are low-floor with a front-door ramp (2026).
- Wheelchair spaces: reserved by signage
- Service de transport adapté (door-to-door): by reservation, based on medical certificate
- Registration: 2 to 3 weeks
The main lines are accessible; some shelters still lack ramps — gradual upgrade.
Visually-impaired passengers: can request priority boarding by signaling the driver.
How to get to Montreal from Trois-Rivières without a car?
Two main options:
Orléans Express (bus):
- 8-10 daily trips from the downtown terminal to Berri-UQAM
- Cost: $30 to $50 one-way, $50 to $80 return
- Duration: 1 h 30 to 2 h with stops
VIA Rail (train):
- 2-4 daily trips Trois-Rivières → Gare Centrale
- Cost: $30 to $50 one-way, promo sometimes at $20
- Duration: 1 h 30
The train is generally more comfortable and reliable for the same price.
Reservation recommended for both — particularly Friday and Sunday.
For frequent travelers: both offer monthly passes.
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:
Author's Note: If you study at UQTR, ask for your student pass at the start of the term. Many newcomers pay full fare in their first semester without knowing they qualify for the discount.
