Universal access

1. From the home page, click on the Your trip tab.
2. Enter your Origin address.
3. Enter your Destination Address.
4. Select Leave to search an itinerary with a desired departure time or
5. Select Arrive to search an itinerary with a desired arrival time.
6. Select the date of your trip.
7. Select the time, hour and minutes of your trip.
8. Click on Show Options.
9. Check your desired modes of transportation.
10. Check the Wheelchair Accessible box.
11. Click on the Get itinerary button.

Several routes will be suggested to you, select the route that best suits your needs. View the detailed itinerary for each step of your trip.

• Find out more about the 68 stations, 4 métro lines and 228 bus lines (local network, 10 minutes max, all-night bus service, express, etc.): Network overview
• Check out métro and bus line maps: Network maps
• See the list of stations with elevators: Elevator access to the métro
• Learn more about real-time schedules: iBUS : your bus schedule in real time
• Check if your trip has been affected by construction before you leave to avoid unwelcome delays.

Active worksites

• Is there a service slowdown or disruption?

Bus service updates

Métro service updates

Elevator service updates

• Website:View a planned or real-time itinerary or schedule.

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• Mobile site: Plan a trip using a bus geolocation feature.

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•  Transit and Chrono (partner mobile apps): View information with your cell phone during your trip.

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•  Automated telephone line: For upcoming bus departures at specific stops, 514 288-6287. 

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•  Customer service: For all questions or help planning your trips, call 514 786-4636 + extension 4.

 

In winter, accessible service is offered at accessible bus stops. However, under conditions of heavy snowfall or freezing rain, safely extending the ramp at accessible bus stops may prove too difficult.

Get all the information before leaving

When weather conditions are changing rapidly, messages to wheelchair users are displayed in a blue banner on our website.

When heavy accumulations are expected

The following message is displayed in a blue banner on our website's home page:

Wheelchair users, please note: due to weather forecasts, providing service at accessible bus stops may prove difficult.

This message means that offering service at accessible bus stops may not be possible over the next few hours, depending on how weather conditions evolve. Please pay attention to this when planning your return trip.

When it is still snowing heavily 

The following message is displayed in a blue banner on our website's home page:

Wheelchair users, please note: due to current weather conditions, extending the ramp at accessbile bus stops may be impossible.

This message means that because of heavy accumulations, it may be impossible to safely extend the ramp for passengers boarding or exiting at certain accessible bus stops. If that was the case at your destination stop, the driver may have no choice but to let you off at another stop.

During a major snowstorm

The following message is displayed in a blue banner on our website's home page:

Wheelchair users, please note: due to the snowstorm, we suggest that you postpone your plans and travel another time.

This message means that we are seeing very difficult road conditions across the city. As a result, it may be impossible to extend the ramp for boarding or exiting passengers at several accessible bus stops.

Need a transit fare?

We have the right fare for you.

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With an OPUS card reader

Use an OPUS card reader: Use a computer to reload your OPUS card without leaving the house! Order your very own OPUS card reader to buy fares online. Payments by credit card only.

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We’re here to answer all your questions

Espaces clients : Stop by one of our Espaces clients booths in the métro.

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Buy your transit fares, anywhere!

List of authorized retailers:Find the nearest authorized retailers and their accessibility rating in the list below..

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OPUS Card

• Register your OPUS card: Protect your card against loss and theft. You will be able to replace it and recover the valid transit fares that were on your card when you reported it missing.
• OPUS à l’année:Annual subscription program for the STM bus and métro network in the Montréal region. It is available for regular monthly fares and reduced fare passes for 65 years and over.
• To pay the reduced fare, you need to load fares on your registered photo ID OPUS card.
• Students:Get your student photo ID OPUS card.
• 65 years and over:Get your photo ID OPUS card.

Persons with a visual or intellectual disability who can use the STM transit system but still need to be accompanied to find their way more easily or for their personal safety can obtain a Companion card (Carte d’accompagnement).

The companion card provides free travel for the person who accompanies the cardholder while he or she uses STM’s bus and métro transit system.

Validity

• Cardholders must pay their own fare to bus driver or métro station agent
• Companion card must be shown to bus driver or métro station agent so that travel companion may ride transit free of charge
• You must comply with the period of validity of the fare card used by the holder of the companion card

Costs

• The companion card is issued free of charge
• The travel companion rides transit for free
• Companion card holders must pay for their ride

Applying for a companion card

For persons with an intellectual disability

1. Download this form
   1. The form is also available through the DI-TSA portal of the Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services sociaux de Montréal (CIUSSS) in your area (see contact information in the Participating agencies section below).
2. If you receive any services from the DI-TSA program, you can also request the form from your case worker.
3. Fill out sections 1 and 2 on the form.
4. Send your duly completed form with your photo to your CIUSSS case worker. He or she will review it all and forward the documents to STM.

For persons with a visual disability

1. Download this form
   1. The form can also be obtained through your rehabilitation centre.
2. Fill out sections 1 and 2 on the form.
3. Send your duly completed form with your photo to your rehabilitation centre.

Obligations

The holder of an STM companion card is required to:

• Show the companion card when paying their fare
• Inform STM of any change of address
• Inform STM as quickly as possible if their card is damaged, lost, or stolen
• Not allow card use by anyone else
• Immediately return card to STM if it is not being used

Participating agencies

Contact the social services agency in your area

For persons with an intellectual disability:

DI-TSA portal of the Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services sociaux (CIUSSS) in your area:

• CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’île-de-Montréal: 514 524-3288
• CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal: 514 384-2000 ext. 8332
• CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’île-de-Montréal: 514 363-3025 ext. 2257
• CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’île-de-Montréal: 514 488-5552 ext. 1250
• CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’île-de-Montréal: 514 527-4525

For persons with a visual disability:

• Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille: 450 463-1710
• Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay: 514 488-5552

For more information about the companion card

Contact one of the following:

• The DI-TSA portal of the CIUSSS in your area (see section above for contact information)
• Your visual disability rehabilitation centre
• Office des personnes handicapées du Québec (OPHQ): 1 800 567-1465
• Regroupement des usagers du Transport adapté et accessible de l'Île de Montréal (RUTA): 514 255-0765
• Société de transport de Montréal (STM): 514 786-4636 (STM-INFO)

Bus stop signs

• Bus stop signs provide valuable information for your trips:
• Bus line number
• Direction
• Accessibility (wheelchair symbol)
• Stop code

 

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Infobus signs

 

Infobus signs show the planned schedules of buses at the stop.

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Information terminals

The information terminals display the next arrival of buses in real time.

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Digital bus shelters 

Digital bus shelters include screens that display real-time schedules (in minutes) or planned schedules (in time of day).

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Information on the bus

• The bus line number is indicated at the top.

 

• A wheelchair symbol is displayed near the door with the ramp.
• If the bus has two spaces for wheelchairs, the icon will be placed near the front door:

When getting on the bus

• You can ask the driver to lower the front of the bus to meet the curb.
• People with strollers, walkers, canes or wheelchairs have priority when boarding the bus.

 

Getting on a bus with a ramp

1. Be at the front of the line: you board the bus first.
2. Let the customers exit the bus before getting on.
3. Wait until the ramp is fully extended before boarding the bus.
4. If you can, provide this information to your driver:
   1. Tell the driver where you’ll be getting off.
   2. Ask the driver to wait until you are safely positioned in the designated area before departing.

C

Getting off a bus with a ramp

1. Let all the customers exit the bus.
2. Wait until the bus has come to a full stop before making your way to the front.
3. Wait until the ramp is fully extended to the curb before getting off the bus.

Tap your OPUS card on the reader or insert your paper fare or exact change in the designated slot.

The types of card readers on buses

 

Tap your OPUS card on the reader or insert your paper fare or exact change in the designated slot.

Forms of payment

• OPUS card loaded with fares prior to the trip.
• Magnetic fare card.
• Cash (only in the fare box, at the front of each bus).

Lexicon of terminology:

New card reader: A new type of transit fare validation device installed in buses. When these card readers detect a chip card, they confirm whether or not the card is loaded with a valid transit fare.

Fare box: Fare boxes are the old fare validation devices that were used before the new card readers for the payment or validation of fares on buses. The cash payment and magnetic card reading parts still work. The parts used to read OPUS cards have been deactivated, as the tap targets on the new card readers will now be used for this type of fare.

Transit fare: Transit fares are tickets or passes that show that a customer has paid to use public transit. There are several devices that can be loaded with a transit fare: reloadable OPUS cards, non-refillable smart cards and magnetic fare cards. Transit fares can be purchased in advance from authorized retailers, fare vending machines or station agents at métro station fare booths.

OPUS card: OPUS cards are reloadable and can hold multiple different transit fares. They are plastic chip cards the size of credit cards but without any embossed text on their surfaces. On buses, customers must use the new card readers to validate fares on OPUS cards.

Non-refillable smart card: Some transit fares are available on these non-reloadable glossy paper cards. These cards do not have an identifying notch on their edge. They can be distinguished from OPUS cards because they are made of paper rather than plastic.

Magnetic fare card: Some transit fares are available on non-reloadable magnetic strip cards. These cards can be identified either by a small notch on their edge or by a cut off corner.

Project overview:

The integrated chip card reading function of bus fare boxes is being replaced with a better-performing external model. As such, new card readers have been added to buses to validate fares on chip cards. These card readers are located at the front door of all buses and at the back door of articulated buses. When boarding a bus at the back door, you must use the new card reader to validate your fare.

At first, only smart cards (OPUS and non-refillable smart cards) will be accepted. Later, the new equipment will also allow us to upgrade to new technologies.

Differences between new card readers and fare boxes:

The new contactless card readers cannot read fares on magnetic strip cards or accept cash payment.

Customers paying in cash or using a magnetic fare card will have to enter at the front door and use the fare box that was already there. Fare boxes will still be used for these types of payment. The magnetic card reader on the fare box has a slot for inserting your magnetic fare card. Your card will pop back out of that slot once read. If you pay in cash, your ticket will pop out of this slot. Keep your fare card or ticket on you during your whole trip, as you will need it to transfer and as proof of payment.

The smart card readers on fare boxes will be deactivated, so there is no risk of accidentally validating your fare at the wrong card reader.

Physical description of the new card readers:

The new card reader will be about the size of a person’s head. The plastic casing has very round edges. It is L-shaped, like a small open laptop. There is a touch screen on the vertical surface and a tap target on the horizontal surface, where the keyboard would be. The tap target surface is located directly underneath the screen and slightly angled downward. It juts out forward and is about the size of a hand. The target covers the entire surface and has no tactile markings other than the shape.

The touch screen is located on the vertical surface and is about the size of a smart phone (120 millimetres by 75 millimetres, or 4 ½ inches by 3 inches) in landscape orientation. It can be located by touch by the shape of its frame. The whole device is attached at the back of its casing to a cylindrical vertical post.

Using the card readers:

The target is contactless-enabled, so you do not have to touch your card to it. Be careful not to accidentally tap your smart card by bringing it too close to the target while you are finding the touch screen to hear an audio message.

Once a chip card has been read, the acceptance status is displayed on the screen and a beep is played. The beep will be different depending on whether the transit fare is accepted or not. A short beep means that your fare has been validated, while a long beep means it has been rejected. For photo OPUS cards, the short beep will play twice in a row when the fare is accepted.

The acceptance status message displayed on the screen can be read aloud using the audio function.

Card reader audio function description:

• When you tap your card on or near the target to validate your fare, you will hear a beep indicating whether the transit fare is accepted or not. After the beep plays, you have a few seconds to activate the audio function and hear the message displayed on the screen. Caution: if the card reader detects a new fare validation before those few seconds are up, the new fare validation message will be played.
• You do not need to hear this message, as the beep already confirms whether the fare has been accepted or rejected. However, hearing the message may provide additional information, such as the number of fares remaining on your OPUS card, if you are using individual fares.
• To hear the message displayed on screen, you have to press on the touch screen. The edge of the screen can be found easily by touch. Simply find the outline of the screen. There are two areas you can press to activate different audio functions, one in the bottom-left corner and one in the top-left corner of the screen.
• Pressing the top-left corner will play the bus line number, for example, line 139.
• Pressing the bottom-left corner will play the message displayed on screen that details the acceptance status of your transit fare.

What to do if there is a malfunction or a free-entry day:

• On free-entry days, if you try to validate your transit fare, it will not be deducted from your smart card, and you will not hear a beep after tapping.
• If you do not hear a beep, this means that no transit fare was deducted from your smart card. This may be because it is a free-entry day or because there is a malfunction in the fare validation system. Press on the bottom-left corner of the screen to hear the message. If no message plays, please ask the driver.

Where the card readers are located:

The new card readers have been installed at the front door of all buses and at the back door of articulated buses. Two-door buses only have a card reader at the front door. All card readers are located to your right as you enter the bus. The only exception is the minibuses on line 212 (for a detailed description, see the corresponding section).

Card reader location at the back door:

• The card reader at the back door is located about 1,200 millimetres (47 inches) up from the floor and juts out from the vertical grab bar just after the glass barrier, roughly 1 metre in from the door. When you get on the bus, follow the glass barrier to your right or the handrail above it to the vertical post where the card reader is mounted. The card reader is positioned at a diagonal angle with the front facing toward you. In some cases, the card reader may be mounted on a crescent-shaped post attached to the vertical grab bar.
• If you are using a magnetic fare card or paying in cash, you will have to enter at the front door and use the fare box.

Card reader location at the front door:

• In both articulated and non-articulated buses, the front-door card reader is to your right as you get on the bus. When you get on, follow the handrail to your right. The handrail continues up toward the driver’s seat for about 1 metre.
• The fare box, where you can pay in cash or use a magnetic fare card, is either at the end of the handrail or behind it. The handrail may be angled about 45 degrees to your left.
• The card reader’s location varies slightly depending on the bus model, but it is located somewhere between the front door and the fare box, 50 millimetres (2 inches) behind the horizontal handrail. The base of the card reader, where the tap target is located, is level with the horizontal handrail.

Exception: minibuses (line 212):

Line 212 is served by high-floor minibuses. These minibuses are all equipped with new card readers at the front door.

Minibuses are only boarded at the front door. If you need to go up steps when you get on the bus, then it is a minibus. In this type of bus only, the card reader is exceptionally located to your left, level with the steps as you get on the bus. As you are coming up the stairs to board, follow the vertical handrail to your left. At the spot where it turns and runs horizontal, the card reader is located just above it.

The fare box is located slightly below the card reader.

Asking the driver for assistance

• Freeing up reserved seats.
• Notifying the driver of your stop in advance.
• Asking for directions if there is a detour.

Reserved seats

• Giving up reserved seats.                          
• Clearing the aisle to access the reserved area and seating.
• Observing your surroundings.
• Taking note of areas with blue, yellow and red signs.

Guide dogs and service dogs

• All customers are entitled to accompaniment by a guide dog or service dog required for a disability.

Requesting a stop by pressing the blue button

 

Transfers:All transit fares allow you to transfer between bus lines and the métro without having to pay a second time.

• Keep your validated fare during the entire trip, as inspectors may ask to check it.
• Validated fares are good for two hours.
• You cannot make round-trips or resume your trips once you have left the bus or métro station, even when returning to the same bus or métro route.

Directions outside the station

• Blue exterior sign (illuminated sign): Shows where to access entrance building.

• Black banner on the entrance building: Displays the name of the station.

• Accessible entrance buildings: Identified by the elevator symbols.

• Automatic butterfly doors: Identified by accessibility symbols and a "motorized door" sign. Press the blue button to open the doors.

  

Directions inside the station

• Levels in a station

 

• Elevators

• Signage in stations

In stations with the new signage, the elevators are numbered.

In stations with multiple levels accessible by elevator, such as Berri-UQAM or Jean-Talon, there are vertical maps of the elevators to help you visualize the route through the station’s different levels.

When planning your route, it’s a good idea to write down or memorize the order in which you must take the elevators to get to the right platform.

Fare vending machines: Buy all types of fares and reload your OPUS card. Cash, debit card and credit card payments are accepted.

Reloading terminals: To reload your OPUS cards with all types of fares. These machines are wheelchair accessible but do not accept cash payments.

Station agents and Espace client: Buy all types of fares and reload your OPUS card. Payment terminals are accessible and accept debit cards and credit cards.

 

Travel companions:If you do not use paratransit services but have a mental or visual impairment, you are eligible for a companion card.

Validating fares

There are two ways to enter: the turnstiles and the fare gates. Only the red gates are accessible for wheelchair users.

Keep your fare handy as it is your proof of payment.

Lexicon of terminology:

Fare gate: Types of fare gate include tripod gates, also called turnstiles, and wing gates, which open to the sides and are generally wider. Fare gates are where customers validate their fares to get into the métro.

Validation interface: The validation interface includes all the equipment at the fare gate that validates transit fares and lets customers enter the métro. When a valid transit fare is accepted, the wing gate opens automatically or the tripod gate is allowed to rotate when pushed.

Transit fare: Transit fares are tickets or passes that show that a customer has paid to use public transit. There are several devices that can be loaded with a transit fare: reloadable OPUS cards, non-refillable smart cards and magnetic fare cards. Transit fares can be purchased in advance from authorized retailers, fare vending machines or station agents at métro station fare booths.

OPUS card: OPUS cards are reloadable and can hold multiple different transit fares. They are plastic smart cards the size of credit cards but without any embossed text on their surfaces.

Non-refillable smart card: Some transit fares are available on these non-reloadable glossy paper cards. These cards do not have an identifying notch on their edge. They can be distinguished from OPUS cards because they are made of paper rather than plastic.

Magnetic fare card: Some transit fares are available on non-reloadable magnetic strip cards. These rectangular cards can be identified by a small notch on their edge near one of the corners.

Project overview:

Parts of the fare validation equipment (turnstiles and wing gates) at métro entrances are being replaced with a better-performing model. Smart cards (OPUS and non-refillable smart cards) and magnetic strip cards will still be accepted. Later, the new equipment will also allow us to upgrade to new technologies.

Upgrading the physical components of the fare gate interface will improve accessibility. The smart card tap target will be lowered and a touch screen will be added that will allow customers to use the same software interface used on the new bus card readers, including the audio function.

The new system will improve on existing fare validation features. Changes will only be made to the upper and front casing of the gates in the non-controlled area of the station, that is, the parts used to validate transit fares.

Physical description of the fare gate validation equipment:

The physical components of the interface will be arranged the same way for both types of fare gate. The new equipment consists of a tap target for smart cards, a touch screen and a magnetic card reader.

When you face the fare gate from the non-controlled area of the station, the transit fare validation equipment is located to your right.

Smart card tap target:

• The tap target is located to your right, slightly higher than counter height. It is in the centre of the flat horizontal surface. It can be located by touch. The target looks like a white square, 120 millimetres (5 inches) long by 120 millimetres (5 inches) wide and 8 millimetres (1/3 inch) thick. Your card will be read if it is tapped on any part of the target. The target is contactless-enabled, so you do not have to touch your card to it. This means that if you hold your card too close to the target, it could be read and a fare could be deducted unintentionally. If this happens, you will not be able to use that fare again.
• Keep your fare card on you for the entire duration of your trip. It is your proof of payment.

Touch screen:

• To find the touch screen, start at the tap target and feel forward along the left edge of the horizontal surface. You will hit a vertical surface. The touch screen is centred on that vertical surface, about 25 millimetres (1 inch) up from the horizontal surface. The screen is about the size of a smartphone  in landscape orientation, and its frame can be located by touch. The frame is flat, rectangular with rounded corners, about 3 millimetres (1/8 inch) thick and 10 millimetres (1/2 inch) wide. You can use the screen to access the audio function. See the audio function section for instructions on how to it.

Magnetic card reader:

• Starting at the tap target, feel back toward yourself along the horizontal surface. The surface curves to a vertical surface. The magnetic card reader is centred on that curved surface. The card reader is red and the same shape as it was before.
• Magnetic cards must be inserted correctly. Hold your card horizontally with the notch on your right, inserting the end closest to the notch. If the card is not facing the correct direction, it will be ejected and you can reinsert it.
• The way this card reader works has changed. After being inserted, the card will come back out of the same slot. Your fare validation will be confirmed once you remove the magnetic card from the reader.
• Keep your fare card on you for the entire duration of your trip. It is your proof of payment.

Using the interface:

The software components of the interface work the same way for both types of fare gate.

Once a fare card has been read, the acceptance status is displayed on the screen and a beep is played. If the fare is accepted, you are authorized to enter, and the wing gate will open or the tripod gate will turn when pushed.

The beep will be different depending on whether the transit fare is accepted or not. A short beep means that your fare has been validated, while a long beep means it has been rejected. For photo OPUS cards, the short beep will play twice in a row when the fare is accepted.

The message displayed on the screen can be read aloud using the audio function. You do not need to hear this message, as the beep already confirms whether the fare has been accepted or rejected. However, hearing the message may provide additional information, such as the number of fares remaining on your OPUS card, if you are using individual fares.

Audio function description:

• After the beep plays, you have a few seconds to access the audio function and hear the message displayed on the screen. Caution: if the card reader detects a new fare validation before those few seconds are up, the new fare validation message will be played.
• To hear the message displayed on screen, you have to press on the touch screen. The touch screen frame can be located by touch. The spot you need to press to activate the audio function is located in the lower left-hand corner of the touch screen. You will hear the message displayed on screen, for example, the acceptance status of your transit fare.

What to do if there is a malfunction or a free-entry day:

If you do not hear a beep, this means that no transit fare was deducted from your chip or magnetic strip card. This may happen because the STM is having a free-entry day or because there is a malfunction in the fare validation system.

If you do not hear a beep, and the wings stay closed or the turnstile does not turn, there is a malfunction. Please use another fare gate.

If you do not hear a beep, but the wings do open or the turnstile does turn, the STM is having a free-entry day.

Assistance stations.

 

Black phones near the booth: Speak to a station agent.

Audio announcements in the station: The entire network is equipped with speakers that share audio announcements to customers and staff.

Station agents and inspectors can help you in the event of a problem.

Ask for assistance from a station agent (MR-73 removable ramp):

You can be accompanied by an STM employee to help you move from one station to another.

On your own, it can be difficult to cross the gap between the platform and the métro car. An attendant will help you to :

• Take the elevator to the first metro car;
• Get on and off the car by deploying the removable ramp (MR-73);
• Take the elevator to the ticket office at the arrival station.

Proceed to the ticketing level and ask the station agent for an escort. The station agent will make the request immediately. Waiting time may vary depending on how long it takes the attendant to get to you.

Services provided at Espace client booths:

• Buy a fare with a debit/credit card or contactless payment (paypass).
• Get a form to apply for a reduced fare OPUS card.
• Register your OPUS card.
• Have a purchase error corrected.
• Replace an expired or defective OPUS card.
• Recover the fares on a lost, stolen or damaged registered OPUS card.
• Obtain a refund.
• Open during métro hours, 7 days a week.

See the complete list of Espaces clients.

If an emergency situation happens, find the Assistance panel on the train platform and pick up the red telephone to speak with a métro employee. If you or someone in the station requires immediate assistance, our employee will quickly get in touch with first responders. You can also speak directly with any station employee.

If you are on the train and you or someone near you needs assistance, use the intercom to speak with the metro operator up front. He/she can then take immediate action to get more help or intervene directly to help out the person in need.

If the emergency brake is used as your initial reaction, the train will remain stopped if it has not already pulled out of the station. If it is already running, the train will stop at the next station. The operator will then have to walk to the car where the brake lever was pulled to assess the situation before contacting the métro’s control centre and initiate appropriate action if needed. Keep in mind that using the intercom can save valuable time! 

STM staff will retrieve mobility aids and return them to owners following an incident, if necessary.

Before boarding and on the platform

     
 

Boarding the métro car

 

Boarding the first métro car

1. Head to the first metro car to be visible to the operator.
2. Position yourself with your back to the wall and engage your brakes. Avoid moving while the métro is moving.
3. Fasten your wheelchair seat belt if you have one.

 

Exiting the métro car

Find the name of the station on the walls and pay attention to the audio instructions.

Leaving the station

Follow the signage to find transfers or exit the station.

Transfers:All transit fares allow you to transfer between bus lines and the métro without having to pay a second time.

• Keep your validated fare during the entire trip, as inspectors may ask to check it.
• Validated fares are good for two hours.
• You cannot make round-trips or resume your trips once you have left the bus or métro station, even when returning to the same bus or métro route.