STM ends temporary loitering ban in Montreal metro
Posted May 2, 2025 11:12 am.
Last Updated May 2, 2025 11:14 am.
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has ended its temporary ban on loitering in metro stations.
The temporary measure, issued by the Board of Directors, was established in mid-March and expired on April 30.
“We will take the time to assess the situation based on the data we are currently collecting and will present our analysis in the coming weeks,” STM spokesperson, Laurence Houde-Roy told CityNews.
“First to our management team and then publicly,” she added. “We will also meet with homeless organizations as part of our review/post-mortem.”
A blitz of temporary safety measures were implemented back in March, aimed at cracking down on loitering in metro stations and helping reduce increased feelings of insecurity among transit users.
According to a survey conducted by Montreal’s transport agency (STM), one in two passengers no longer feels safe in the metro.
Some measures implemented include:
- Sleeping on metro platforms and benches no longer tolerated
- Many common areas closed in the metro
“Constables will continue to ensure compliance with all STM regulations,” said Houde-Roy. “Always with a referral approach to vulnerable people with the aim of ensuring they are taken into care by the appropriate resources.”
The STM says that they want “first and foremost” for long-term measures to be put in place ahead of next winter.
“So that anyone needing accommodation or health resources can have access to them,” she said. “Thus limit the impacts on STM customers and employees.”
