Activities, taking photos and shooting videos

Requests and conditions for activities on the métro and bus network

The STM allows various activities to take place in its facilities under certain conditions.

To obtain information about a specific request or a permit if required, please select a category below and follow the instructions.

important :

All requests involving the use of a métro train must be submitted at least 21 days in advance before the network experiential activity, filming or photo taking. A member of our team will contact you to follow up on your request. Please note that fees may apply.


Filming and photography

For all requests to film or photograph on the STM network, please complete the Filming and Photography Request form.

Métro:

To film or photograph in the métro for commercial or media purposes, whether for a movie, advertisement or television program, you must first complete and submit the request form above. Once we have received your duly completed form, we will inform you of the cost of your filming and photography request.

Bus:

It is prohibited to carry out any type of filming or taking photos on a bus in service with the Société de transport de Montréal. However, it is possible to rent a bus for a filming or photo session. This rental is carried out under certain conditions and a request must be submitted in advance by completing the request form above and sending it to the email address indicated there.

Filming and photography by students or amateurs using small teams and light equipment (smartphones and basic camera equipment) does not require special permission, provided the activity meets all the following conditions:

  • The filming or photographing is done with a smartphone or small camera.
  • Tripods, flashes and/or any other fixed equipment are not used inside the facilities of the métro network.
  • The activity does not obstruct the flow of user traffic.
  • Neither STM employees nor métro users are filmed or photographed.
  • You must also always follow all basic safety rules while inside the métro network. You can find all the rules and regulations here: By-law R-036.
  • Any filming or photographing by students that may exceed these conditions requires an authorization and someone to accompany the photo/film crew during the activity, all of which are subject to fees. If this is the case, please complete the request form above and send it to the email address indicated.

Performances on the network

Musical, lyrical or other performances are not permitted on STM buses or in métro stations, except at STM lyres.

The STM lyres are spaces reserved for métro musicians and can be booked through the STM website.

In some cases, staging a performance outside the STM lyres may be permitted upon submission of a request form, provided the noise levels do not exceed 80 decibels and the performance takes place in a designated area during the hours permitted by the STM.

The full by-law on this subject can be found here : By-law R-036, section VIII.

To request an authorization to stage a performance in the métro or on a bus, please complete the Performances on the Network Request form and send it to the email address indicated.


Booths in the métro

Any organization or individual wishing to set up a sales kiosk in the métro must first request permission by contacting the Métrocom team, a partner of Transgesco, a subsidiary of the STM, at 514-868-1750.

Please note that space rental fees apply.


Leaflet distribution and fundraising

If you wish to distribute commercial leaflets or product samples in the métro, you must first request permission by contacting the Métrocom team, a partner of Transgesco, a subsidiary of the STM, at 514-868-1750.

A person may offer and distribute texts expressing a political, social or religious ideology by means of leaflets, flyers, brochures, newspapers, books or pamphlets in a métro station for non-commercial purposes. Although this approach may appeal to many organizations wishing to promote their cause among our transit customers, the STM does not encourage this type of activity inside its facilities.

This type of activity is only allowed if it takes place in the areas and corridors between the station entrance doors and where transit users pay their fare, and provided the following conditions are met:

  • It must not affect the cleanliness of the station.
  • It must not interfere with the work of STM employees.
  • It must not obstruct the flow of user traffic.
  • It must not compromise the safety of people.
  • It must not be a commercial activity.

The full by-law on this subject can be found here (French only): By-law R-036, section VIII.

Although this approach may appeal to many organizations wishing to promote their cause among our transit customers, the STM does not encourage this type of activity inside its facilities.

Nevertheless, fundraising is generally allowed between the station entrance doors and where transit users pay their fare, provided the following conditions are met:

  • It must not affect the cleanliness of the station.
  • It must not interfere with the work of STM employees.
  • It must not obstruct the flow of user traffic.
  • It must not compromise the safety of people.
  • It must not be a commercial activity.

Relocation of bus stops or bus shelters

If holding a particular activity or event requires the relocation of a bus stop or bus shelter, please contact the city of Montréal’s film and television bureau by email at to obtain prior approval.

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