By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Remo Analytis has now reached 7,500 signatures on his petition to keep Montreal’s adapted transit service in public hands — a milestone that reflects months of determined advocacy, including a recent push during Saint-Jean Baptiste Day at the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue boardwalk. Analytis, who uses a wheelchair, is part of a community that relies on the Société de transport de Montréal (STM)’s adapted minibuses and vehicles for essential daily activities: getting to work, attending medical appointments, and staying connected with friends and family. The STM’s paratransit service has long been praised for its reliability and the personal relationships its drivers build with riders, offering a sense of safety and dignity to those who use it.

All of that, Analytis believes, is now at risk. In 2026, the STM plans to privatize its paratransit operations, handing over a vital public service to private companies as a cost-saving measure. Analytis and many others fear that this move could result in unreliable service, increased fares, and a loss of the compassionate, individualized care that public drivers provide. In cities where similar privatizations have occurred, riders have reported missed pickups, confusion over scheduling, and long waits — sometimes resulting in missed work, school, or critical medical care.

The petition, which now has 7,500 signatures thanks to Analytis’s tireless efforts, sends a clear message to city and provincial leaders— don’t abandon people with mobility challenges.

Signatories include not just transit users but also their families, caregivers, and concerned Montrealers who recognize the importance of accessible, dependable transit for all. Analytis has formally addressed the petition to officials ranging from the Quebec Minister of Transport to the Mayor of Montreal and top STM executives, underlining the broad societal impact of this issue.

Community response has been strong and vocal, with public meetings, protests, and ongoing outreach. Supporters argue that paratransit is not just another transit option — it is a public good that allows thousands of Montrealers to live independently and participate fully in civic life. Privatization, they warn, could turn a system built on trust and service into one governed by profit margins, with vulnerable users left behind.

Analytis isn’t slowing down. Energized by growing support, over 14,000 signatures have been gathered citywide as he continues to collect signatures and raise awareness. For him, this campaign is about defending more than a bus route; it’s about protecting the right of every Montrealer to move freely and with dignity. “I am doing this for all of us and I won’t give up until they listen to us,” Analytis told The Suburban. n