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If you regularly take the Montreal metro, you might notice some changes (and possible detours) over the next few weeks.
On Thursday, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) announced new temporary measures to improve security in the metro, including a ban on loitering and the closure of certain station entrances.
These changes, in effect until April 30, come in response to a growing sense of insecurity among riders and employees.
Why is this happening?
According to the STM, reports of disruptive behaviour in the metro system jumped by 40% in a year, from 14,540 incidents in 2022 to over 26,000 in 2024.
Officials say the homelessness crisis has put additional strain on the transit system, but the metro “cannot be a last-resort refuge” for those in need.
What’s changing?
To address concerns about safety, crime, and cleanliness, the STM is implementing the following measures:
Loitering ban – Riders must keep moving inside STM facilities. Special constables will have more authority to intervene when people occupy metro spaces without the intent to travel.
Closure of four metro entrances – Certain access points at Place-des-Arts, Atwater, Square-Victoria-OACI, and De Castelnau stations will be temporarily shut. Officials say these locations have been identified as trouble spots due to safety concerns like criminal activity and large gatherings.
Increased police presence – The SPVM will deploy more officers in metro stations, especially downtown, to combat drug-related incidents and support STM security teams.
Fenced-off areas in nine stations – Charlevoix, Peel, Place-des-Arts, Beaudry, Pie-IX, Bonaventure, Place d’Armes, D’Iberville, and Côte-Vertu will see new barriers and partitions to limit disorderly behaviour and make cleaning easier.
Extended homeless shelters – The City of Montreal is keeping its winter warming shelters open until the end of April to provide alternatives for people seeking shelter in the metro.
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