Transit officials have expressed concern over the number of people struggling with drug addiction and mental illness who use the metro stations as unofficial shelters. In June, Montreal’s transit authority — Société de transport de Montréal — reintroduced a no-loitering rule in the city’s subway tunnels. Officials said at the time the measure had helped decrease assaults on staff and increased users’ sense of security when it was implemented as a pilot project earlier in the year.
However, Beaudet noted there’s not necessarily a link between the influx of marginalized people in the metro system and criminality.
Specific examples of behaviour that constitute an assault include spitting, pushing, punching or kicking, Beaudet said. She noted many of the incidents involve individuals who know each other.
Montreal’s transit authority said in a statement on Wednesday that it is working with police to “maintain a sense of security in our stations.”
Beaudet said that despite the spike in reported assaults, the Montreal metro is safe.
“Unfortunately, there are a few (assaults) throughout the year … but they remain isolated,” Beaudet said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2026.
The Canadian Press