MONTREAL – The cost of managing food trucks in Montreal is going up.

According to a report in La Presse, next year’s bill for managing food truck locations and opening hours will more than double.

Interesting article in La Presse on the rising cost of managing Montreal food trucks. https://t.co/FwAh8bXwev @Global_Montreal

— Billy Shields (@billyshields) February 12, 2016

Last year, the City of Montreal paid out about $57,000 to the Conseils Atelya firm to manage food trucks; this year, the city is set to pay out about $120,000.

When food trucks started out as a pilot project in Montreal in 2013, there were less than three dozen of them. Now? I count more than 150.

— Billy Shields (@billyshields) February 12, 2016

In 2013, when it was still a pilot project, the food truck season lasted from May to October, involved about three dozen trucks and hit a few snags.

And in Montreal, as the food truck craze has grown, a couple trucks — like Gaufrebec, operate year-round. @Global_Montreal

— Billy Shields (@billyshields) February 12, 2016

Some truck operators initially complained that the regulations concerning locations and opening times did not consider foot traffic, forcing them to operate at times and places when demand was low.

What fascinates me? What goes into the decisions to put certain trucks certain places at certain times. It can't be easy. @Global_Montreal

— Billy Shields (@billyshields) February 12, 2016

As the years have progressed, the number of trucks has exploded and their schedules have expanded, with some trucks – like the Gaufrabec waffle truck – operating all year-round.