Montreal’s transit authority is under fire for the winter closure of one of the main entrances to a metro station in an area where many of the city’s unhoused are located.
Montreal’s transit authority is under fire for the winter closure of one of the main entrances to a metro station in an area where many of the city’s unhoused are located.
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) notified the public earlier this month that Entrance B to the Atwater metro station would be off limits from Nov.1 until April 30, 2025, but it didn’t provide a reason. The other primary entrance, which is not located in the same park, remains open.
The STM defended the temporary closure Tuesday, saying it was a “informed decision,” and part of broader measures to ensure the safety of both transit users and its staff members. It also pointed to the “current social context.”
“Authorizing the closure will reduce the occurrence of mischief and unwanted or dangerous behavior, such as bullying and and drug use,” STM spokesperson Amélie Régis said in a statement.