STM extends Metro Montreal flânage ban until April 30, 2027
The Société de transport de Montréal has extended its ban on flâner in the metro until at least April 30, 2027, keeping metro montreal riders under the same rule that has been in place since March 2025. Aref Salem said Tuesday the STM is continuing the measure to improve riders’ sense of security and boost metro ridership.
Aref Salem and the STM
Salem, president of the STM board of directors, said, “Pour continuer d’améliorer l’achalandage du métro, nous devons continuer d’améliorer le sentiment de sécurité de la clientèle dans le réseau et nous agissons en ce sens.” The STM said the rule has been renewed twice after first being presented as temporary.
The agency said the ban has been applied nearly 2,500 times per month. It also said that between November 2025 and March 2026, service interruptions of 5 minutes or more caused by intentional vandalism fell by 22% from the previous year. Escorts out of the system at metro closing time dropped by 36%, while constable interventions for incivilities fell by 2%.
Mission St-Michael
The policy was introduced to prevent homeless people from sleeping on platforms and in corridors. Andrew Marrocco, director general of the Mission St-Michael, said, “Ça a eu des répercussions vraiment importantes dans la dernière année.”
He added, “Quand il fait froid, mais que ces mesures restent en vigueur et qu’il n’y a pas de tolérance hivernale, c’est là qu’on voit vraiment l’impact,” and said, “Ça contribue à déstabiliser encore davantage les personnes itinérantes. Leur rythme de vie et leur état de stabilité psychologique sont encore plus perturbés. Et au final, leur insécurité empire, on le voit.”
Marrocco said his organization welcomed 180 people in one day last fall, above its 60-place capacity. The extension keeps the same enforcement rule in place for riders, constables and outreach workers through at least April 30, 2027.
