Three STM metro entrances closed for security reasons

The STM has closed three metro entrances for an indefinite period due to security reasons for commuters and public transit staff.

The Square-Victoria-OACI Belmont entrance, the McGill de Maisonneuve entrance, and the De Castelnau North entrance are all closed.

In a statement, the STM says the areas have been identified as trouble spots due to their daily use for “undesirable behaviour”.

“The issues identified in these areas relate to cleanliness, overcrowding, incivility, and drug use. These space reductions will allow us to concentrate cleaning and security resources on smaller areas to improve operations,” Laurence Houde-Roy, a public affairs advisor for the STM said in an email to CityNews on Wednesday.

In addition, the STM has reorganized the work teams for maintenance staff and station agents to better ensure their safety, following a recent report by the CNESST and an increase in customer complaints and feedback.

Houde-Roy says in recent years, the months of March and April have been more prone to undesirable behavior on the network so the decision is part of a preventive approach aimed at maintaining a safe and controlled environment.