Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Citing “undesirable behaviour,” Montreal’s public transit authority is indefinitely closing three Metro station entrances to “ensure the sense of safety for both customers and employees.”
In a news release Wednesday, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) says it closed the north entrance of De Castelnau station, the de Maisonneuve entrance of McGill station and the Belmont entrance of Square-Victoria-OACI station.
“The issues identified in these sectors relate to cleanliness, loitering, incivilities and drug use,” the statement says.
By reducing the available space, the STM says it can concentrate its cleaning and security resources on smaller areas to improve operations.
“As the reduction of spaces proved effective last winter, we believe it is appropriate to reinstate the measure this year,” the statement says. That’s when the agency reduced space in nine Metro stations for about a month and a half to discourage people from lingering. That included closing four entrances.
“It is worth noting that over the past few years, the months of March and April have been more prone to undesirable behaviour within the network,” the statement says.
“This decision is therefore part of a preventive approach aimed at maintaining a safe and controlled environment.”
On the frontlines of a social crisis
Andrew Marrocco is the executive director of the St. Michael’s Mission, a downtown homeless shelter. He said the STM is a proactive and collaborative partner of the community sector.
The transit authority is on the frontlines of an ongoing social crisis that lacks the needed prevention services that reaches people before they end up in difficult situations, he said.
“Quite frankly, the STM goes above and beyond what should be expected of a transport service,” he said.
“What we should really be doing as a society is focusing on better supporting our vulnerable populations and preventing the problems we’re having now from exacerbating even further.”
Kevin Grenier, who heads the STM special constables’ union, said three-quarters of employees say they are afraid when they work. He says the Metro is becoming a more dangerous space, threatening the safety of their members and transit users.
The number of assaults reported in Montreal’s Metro system rose by 15 per cent in 2025 compared to the year prior, according to police data released in February. Montreal police said there were 726 cases of assault in 2025, up from 631 in 2024 and 652 in 2023.
A spokesperson for the City of Montreal said the decision ultimately comes down to the STM. The mayor did urge the public transit authority to be more tolerant in the winter, but now that it’s spring, the STM has to ensure the safety and security of its users and employees, the spokesperson said.
WATCH | More on why the STM is closing some Metro station entrances:
STM closes 3 Metro station entrances, citing safety and drug use issues
Montreal’s transit authority is closing three Metro entrances at different stations. It says it aims to lower drug use, reduce the number of people loitering at the stations and improve cleanliness. The move follows similar measures implemented last winter.