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Conseil d'administration du 28 janvier 2026
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Conseil d'administration du 28 janvier 2026

Welcome to the STS Board Meeting

Introduction and Attendance

  • The meeting begins with a welcome from the president of STS, who introduces herself and the attendees.
  • Joannie Bellerose, Pierre Avar, François Olivier Desmar, Catherine Baargon, and Philippe Anger Trottier are introduced as board members representing various stakeholders.
  • Émile Bellerose is mentioned as a remote participant representing the student community.
  • The executive team present includes Vicky Martinau (secretary), Patrick Dobson (general director), Claudie Champou (administration director), Michael Gautier (corporate services director), and Stéphane Veilleux (operations and development deputy director).

Agenda Overview

  • The agenda for the meeting is confirmed without any additional points needing to be added. All members agree on its conformity.
  • A reminder about the question period is provided, emphasizing respectful communication during discussions. Vicky explains that each person has a maximum of 5 minutes to ask questions unless extended by the president.

Question Period Guidelines

  • Participants are encouraged to identify themselves at the microphone and state their organization if applicable when asking questions. Questions should pertain to public interest topics relevant to STS's competencies. Respectful discourse is emphasized throughout this process.
  • It’s noted that all questions asked will be documented in the next meeting's minutes, which will be available online after one month for review by participants who may not have internet access. Provisions will be made for those individuals to receive direct responses instead of waiting for online publication.

User Experience with Adapted Transport

User Testimony

  • Félix introduces himself as an adapted transport user for over a year and an advocate for inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. He aims to discuss improvements rather than criticize existing systems.

Concerns About Reservation Logic

  • Félix highlights concerns regarding the current reservation logic of adapted transport services, stressing its importance for active workers facing unpredictable schedules due to job demands or appointments that change last minute. He emphasizes that while adapted transport is essential, there needs to be flexibility in how reservations are managed to accommodate users' dynamic lives effectively.

Transportation Accessibility and User Experience

Challenges of Same-Day Transportation Services

  • Users of adapted transportation services pay over $92 per month for a service that is supposed to be available on the same day or with 24 hours' notice. However, planning these trips in advance is often unrealistic due to the fast pace of life.
  • The STS (Société de transport) must work within the funding constraints provided by provincial and governmental sources, which complicates service delivery. A dialogue is necessary to find more effective solutions tailored to current user realities.

Rethinking Transportation Priorities

  • There is a need to challenge the notion that same-day transportation should only cater to emergencies or medical appointments, as this perspective overlooks the social importance of travel for individuals with disabilities.
  • Social outings are crucial for breaking isolation and fostering community connections, providing dignity and citizenship for those often confined in institutional settings. Transport should be viewed as a tool for social inclusion rather than merely a medical necessity.

Modernizing Transportation Systems

  • Proposals include modernizing transportation systems through technological advancements such as mobile applications, which could enhance accessibility and efficiency in service delivery.
  • While most drivers provide excellent service with a human touch, there is an essential need for increased awareness and training regarding the lived experiences of people with disabilities to improve interactions further.

Addressing Misconceptions in Service Use

  • The infantilization of users remains prevalent during interactions, often despite good intentions from staff; thus, it’s vital to recognize that adapted transport is not just about logistics but also about enabling dignity and autonomy for users.

Balancing Demand with Service Capacity

  • Current limitations mean that same-day reservations are primarily reserved for urgent needs due to high demand; however, there’s an ongoing effort to encourage users to plan ahead when possible without discouraging them from using same-day services if needed.
  • Optimizing routes based on advanced bookings can help serve more users effectively while maintaining flexibility in accommodating urgent requests when they arise. This approach aims at improving overall service quality while managing capacity challenges efficiently.

Discussion on User Consultation in Adapted Transport

Importance of Empathy and Understanding

  • The speaker emphasizes the challenge of understanding others' perspectives, highlighting the relevance of this message in discussions about adapted transport.
  • Acknowledgment of the need for deeper conversations within families and communities to foster empathy.

User Consultation Request

  • Pierre Éérrican from Rutasme raises a question regarding more frequent consultations with the advisory committee on issues affecting users directly.
  • He stresses that user input is crucial for improving quality policies related to adapted transport.

Recent Developments in Adapted Transport

  • Announcement of a satisfaction survey launch and updates to the adapted transport guide, which are significant for users.
  • Rutasme expresses disappointment over not being consulted before these documents were made public, suggesting their feedback could enhance service quality.

Expertise and Policy Improvement

  • The speaker argues that Rutasme's expertise should be integrated into policy-making processes concerning adapted transport.
  • There is a call for better inclusion of the advisory committee in decision-making, indicating potential oversight by STS (Société de transport de Sherbrooke).

Suggestions for Future Engagement

  • Rutasme hopes for closer collaboration with STS moving forward, particularly regarding user-related decisions.
  • The speaker mentions that while they would have preferred more time to collaborate on surveys, constraints from higher authorities limited their flexibility.

Survey Constraints and Future Considerations

  • Discussion around the necessity of adhering to specific questions mandated by the ministry during surveys, which restrict user input opportunities.
  • Plans are mentioned to potentially explore additional topics relevant to users in future consultations beyond what was required by the ministry.

Guide Updates and User Accessibility

  • Clarification that no comprehensive update has been made to the guide; only minor changes like photo additions occurred since 2021.
  • Concerns raised about removing certain information due to complaints; however, alternative communication methods will be provided for users lacking internet access.

Review of Usage Guidelines and Procedural Updates

Discussion on User Guide Discrepancies

  • There are noted discrepancies between the information on the website and the user guide, particularly regarding operational hours and procedures for call-backs.
  • The procedure for call-backs is missing from the user guide, which previously included a specific phone number. It is suggested to reinstate this information for clarity.

Approval of Servitude Acts

  • The board must authorize the General Director of STS to sign all necessary servitude documents related to installations like bus shelters, ensuring no additional charges exceed $25,000.

Special Tariff Considerations

  • A special cash tariff will be discussed in relation to major events such as the Festival des rites d'Afrique de Sherbrook.

Document Access and Personal Information Protection

  • Claudie remains responsible for document access while Vicky supports her; Christine Boili will oversee personal information protection. This reappointment is due to a change in presidency but does not alter responsibilities.

Budget Modifications for 2026

  • Minor adjustments have been made to the 2026 budget concerning Bixi operations, now included under STS's financial responsibilities due to budgetary constraints faced by the city.

Final Report on Active Transport Development Project

  • Authorization is needed for submitting a final report on implementing a bike-sharing system as part of an active transport development program, covering activities from November 2024 to December 2025.

Financing and Administrative Resolutions for Sherbrook Transport

Emission of Bonds

  • The Sherbrook transport company plans to issue bonds amounting to 3,145,000 dated February 10, 2026. This requires a resolution for alignment, short-term financing, and extension.
  • The company must adopt a resolution to clarify the financing terms under regulations R031, R038, R043, R046, R048, R049, R063 through R076.

Modification of Regulations

  • To facilitate the bond issuance process, modifications to existing regulations are necessary. The bonds will have a term shorter than previously stipulated in regulations R064 through R076.
  • The new term for the bonds is set at five years from February 10, 2026.

Surplus Financing Discussion

  • Discussion on surplus financing related to regulation number 42 concerning the purchase of six hybrid buses with an initial borrowing amount of six million.
  • Instead of opening a new borrowing regulation due to available funds from previous payments made over two years, the company intends to utilize existing funds for purchasing these vehicles.

Revised Activity Report Adoption

  • Point 14 addresses adopting a revised activity report for the Estri CGDE (Centre de gestion des déplacements de l'Estri) for the year 2024 due to an error in financial statements adopted earlier.
  • Once adopted, this revised version will be sent to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility for compliance purposes.

Consideration of Bids

  • Point 15 involves reviewing bids received under call STS 2506 for hydraulic lift systems for buses.
  • Point 16 discusses submissions received under call OF STS 2510 regarding access road construction; eleven companies submitted bids with one selected based on compliance criteria.

Fuel Supply Contracts

  • At point 17, consideration is given to bids received under call OF STS 2512 for fuel supply contracts. Parkdale Corporation was awarded the contract due to its compliance with requirements despite similar bid amounts from other suppliers.

Correspondence from Ministry

  • Two letters were received this month from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility:
  • One confirms financial support totaling $14,637,699 over three years (2025–2027).
  • The second allows modification in acquiring validators from an original request of 223 down to 188 units.

Message from the Board Members

Overview of Meeting Points

  • The meeting concludes with a summary of agenda points, transitioning to messages from board members. Émile is invited to share his thoughts remotely.

Acknowledgments and Reflections

  • Joan expresses gratitude towards Félix for his first appearance, highlighting the human and enlightening nature of his message regarding social inclusion tools.
  • Joan emphasizes the importance of word choice in communication, noting that it can significantly impact how welcoming a message feels.

Upcoming Events

  • An announcement is made about the upcoming Cherbrook Carnival, where a special fare of $1 will be available starting February 20th at 5 PM, celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Continued Collaboration

  • Catherine thanks Félix for his insightful testimony and expresses hope for future collaboration on related initiatives.

Concerns Over Funding Cuts

Financial Implications

  • Discussion shifts to recent announcements by the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ), which reported significant funding cuts affecting public transport development programs.

Impact on Public Transport Services

  • The speaker highlights that these cuts amount to $200 million annually and will have substantial negative effects on local transit services (STS).

Essential Nature of Public Transport

  • Emphasis is placed on the critical role of public transport in community development and environmental sustainability; cutting funds contradicts these essential needs.

Challenges Ahead

  • The speaker notes ongoing efforts to enhance service offerings despite adverse conditions but warns that funding cuts could hinder progress and user retention.

Call for Action

  • A commitment is made to advocate for responsible decision-making regarding public transport funding at municipal levels, stressing that disengagement from public transport is not an option.