Calls for better public transit services for Montreal seniors

Ensemble Montréal and the Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées (AQDR) held a press conference Monday morning at City Hall, requesting better public transit services for seniors.

The two groups are calling for a public consultation on the mobility needs of seniors, and for the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) to extend its public taxi services (Taxibus) to the entire population.

“There are more and more seniors in Montreal, and they have special needs,” said Christine Black, Mayor of Montréal-Nord and Official Opposition spokesperson for public transit and mobility, in a press release. “Their lifestyles are different, as are their travels and their ease of access to the metro.”

“These are all things that need to be taken into account in planning our public transit services,” she added. “That starts with improving targeted services.”

Pierre Lynch, President of the AQDR said, “mobility is essential for seniors to allow them to be able to remain active, to move around, to participate actively in society.”

“It’s very important for at least the isolated portions of Montreal, the East and the East and West, particularly to have a point-to-point service for the daily errands that seniors do have to do,” added Lynch about wanting to see Taxibus services extended to other parts of the island. “It enables them, also it will enable them to break the isolation that they’re living presently and contribute fully to society.”

Ensemble Montréal explains that nearly two-thirds of the city’s 41 metro stations have no elevator.

Adding that Taxibus, STM’s shared taxi service, is limited. Saying in the press release that there are only 15 lines, where three are reserved for seniors: Pointe-Claire, Dorval and Nuns’ Island.

The Official Opposition is therefore insisting that this service be extended — to better serve more distant neighbourhoods.

The motion will be debated at the next municipal council meeting on May 13, they say.

Adding that this measure is necessary as the Navette Or golden-age shuttle taxis reserved for seniors have been shut down since 2020.

No announcement has been made about their possible return.

Montrealers 65 and over will soon be able to load their Opus cards with a free 65 plus all modes A transit fare.

The city provided details to this free transit for seniors back in April.

The new fare, which will become valid on July 1, will allow seniors to take public transit for free within zone A, the island of Montreal.

“Free public transit for 65-year-olds meets the needs of some,” said Chantal Rossi, City Councillor for Ovide-Clermont district and Official Opposition spokesperson for seniors, in a press release Monday. “But not all, seniors.”

“If we want to offer a city that is truly accessible to all, we need to expand the shared Navette Or and Taxibus services, pending a public consultation.”

RELATED: Montreal provides details for free transit for seniors 65 and over

Also on Monday, Ensemble Montréal reiterated its call for the creation of a “Seniors’ Council.”

They explained that it would help guide the city’s administration in addressing the needs and issues of the senior population, which includes some 350,000 people aged 65 and over.