Ensemble Montréal calls for better public transit services for seniors

Ensemble Montréal and the Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées (AQDR) held a press conference Monday morning to call for better public transit services for seniors. The two groups are calling in particular for a public consultation on the mobility needs of seniors, and for the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) to extend its public taxi services to the entire population. 

Montréal’s population includes some 350,000 people age 65. Given that seniors are more likely to suffer from mobility problems, and that nearly two-thirds of the 68 metro stations have no elevator, access to public transit is difficult for many of them. In addition, the Taxibus (STM shared taxi) service, which could also help seniors get around town, is quite limited. There are only fifteen lines, of which only three are reserved for seniors (Pointe-Claire, Dorval and Nuns’ Island).

Ensemble Montréal is therefore insisting that this service be extended to better serve more distant neighbourhoods. This measure is all the more necessary as the Navette Or golden-age shuttle taxis reserved for seniors have been shut down since 2020, and no announcement has been made about their possible return. 

At the same time, the Official Opposition at Montréal City Hall reiterated its call for the creation of a “Seniors’ Council”. This entity would guide the Montréal administration in addressing the needs and issues of the senior population, particularly in terms of mobility.

Quotes

“There are more and more seniors in Montréal, and they have special needs. Their lifestyles are different, as are their travels and their ease of access to the metro… These are all things that need to be taken into account in planning our public transit services. And that starts with improving targeted services,” said Christine Black, Mayor of Montréal-Nord and Official Opposition spokesperson for public transit and mobility. 

“Free public transit for 65-year-olds meets the needs of some, but not all, seniors. If we want to offer a city that is truly accessible to all, we need to expand the shared Navette Or and Taxibus services, pending a public consultation,” insisted Chantal Rossi, City Councillor for Ovide-Clermont district and Official Opposition spokesperson for seniors.

“Public transit helps seniors live together on a daily basis, enabling them to meet new people and build relationships. We need to be aware of their needs and give priority to human-scale services, since access to public transit is a part of our social fabric, an essential service. Service accessibility for seniors must be a key element in the City of Montréal’s priorities,” added Pierre Lynch, Chair of the Executive Council of the Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées.