My Alerts métro newspaper distribution inside métro stations
Court ruling in favour of STM
Montreal, August 11, 2003 Société de transport de Montréal management expressed their satisfaction following the decision handed down last Friday by Québec Superior Court Justice Dionysia Zerbisias, in the case opposing the STM and Sun Media Corporation Inc. In her ruling, the judge rejected the suit brought on by Sun Media Inc., which alleged a violation of its rights under freedom of the press, and upheld the validity of the exclusive contract granted by the STM to the newspaper métro, held by Publications métropolitaines Inc., a joint partnership between M�dias Transcontinental Inc., Metro International S.A. and Gesca lt�e.
One of the STMs main concerns in this matter was the safety of transit users. In its ruling, the Court agreed that, to meet with the Corporations safety standards, only one free newspaper could be distributed daily throughout the subway system. According to STM management, the decision is more good news for commuters who get to keep enjoying their bonus paper, which makes transit more attractive as they can read the news while travelling undisturbed. Moreover, the ruling confirms the STM acted both legally and ethically, in accordance with accepted business practices, when it negociated an economically profitable agreement, in the interest of the Corporation, and for the benefit of its customers.
Distributed for free inside all métro stations since March 1, 2001, the newspaper quickly became a favourite among transit users. Today, it is read by over 205,000 people every day. The Corporations Info STM page inside the paper serves as a direct link with transit users, who can easily be reached while they are inside STM installations. The page has proven to be an excellent way to inform commuters and promote transit services. According to surveys carried out last year, 54% of métro newpaper readers do read the Info STM page, while the average degree of satisfaction is over 75%.
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