The Rosemont Metro bus station remains closed, after a year and a half of operation, because it is considered potentially dangerous by the STM. This caused great dissatisfaction among people with limited mobility, who were forced to make transfers.
The bus loop passes under a large seniors' residence that opened in January 2023. Responsibility for the loop itself must legally transfer from the Municipal Office of Housing of Montreal (OMHM), the owner of the building, to the STM.
However, a problem arose during these transfer procedures: “STM noticed safety issues at the station due to the risk of falling objects or ice/snow from the balconies of the building,” noted Amélie Régis communications advisor via email. The loop is actually located below the 10-story seniors' residence, which has dozens of windows and balconies. “We are working with OMHM to find a mutually satisfactory solution to resolve this security issue.”
Meanwhile, access to the Rosemont station leading to this loop also remains closed until further notice. Only the door that opens onto Rosemont Boulevard remains open.
Work on the episode itself is scheduled to be completed in December 2023, as determined by STM. In particular, the company replaced the membrane that protects the station from water leakage. M continuedI Regis. “This type of integration project, which goes beyond the “usual” recipe, necessarily involves some coexistence challenges, and therefore, it is natural that adjustments will be made. »
“What meaning”
In the meantime, people with limited mobility – including residents of nearby disabled social housing – should head to one of the temporary bus stops installed on sidewalks in the surrounding area.
“It doesn't make sense,” said Linda Gauthier, president of the Association of Activists for Inclusion in Quebec (RAPLIQ), which advocates for the rights of people with disabilities. “STM prides itself on winning awards here and there for the quality of services it provides […]But I'm not convinced of that, at all. »
RAPLIQ has also initiated a class action against the organization and the City of Montreal on behalf of 20,000 people with physical limitations “who are potentially affected by discrimination in access to the metro, train, regular buses and paratransit in Montreal.”
RAPLIQ hopes to receive damages of $75,000 per person.
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