Harmonized regulations between transit authorities
STM adopts new regulations

Montreal, September 10, 2003 – Two new by-laws will be introduced by the Société de transport de Montreal (STM) at the end of this week, following the updating and harmonizing of regulations undertaken by the various transit authorities operating within the Metropolitan Montreal area. Indeed, on July 2, the STM’s Board of Directors adopted regulations R-036 entitled " By-law prescribing standards of safety and conduct to be observed by passengers in the rolling stock and immovables operated by or for the Société de transport de Montréal ", and R-037 entitled " By-law prescribing conditions regarding the possession and use of any transportation ticket issued under the authority of the Société de transport de Montréal ".

This streamlining process by the transit corporations, namely the STM, the Société de transport de Laval (STL), the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) and the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT), is intended to subject all transit users to the same rules of conduct and safety when they are within their installations or inside their vehicles.

Highlights
The following are a few of the main changes to the STM’s regulations:

• Requiring that animals be placed inside a cage, pet carrier or other container designed for transportation purposes, with the exception of guide dogs and service dogs ;
• Increasing fines for certain types of infractions, including entering tunnels, carrying bladed weapons, forcing or holding train doors open, etc. ;
• Issuing a ticket to anyone obstructing the movement of transit users by either carrying large bags, packages or other objects (including shouldering a schoolbag) or leaving them on the ground ;
• Setting a single expiry date for the various ID cards issued by the STL, RTL and AMT) providing access to reduced fares for persons having reached the age of 18 (October 31 instead of June 30) ;
• Modifying the expiry date of the Privil�ge access card for persons having reached the age of 26 (August 31 instead of June 30) ;
• Requiring that students produce a reduced fare ID card upon reaching the age of 12 instead of 13.

Regarding the latter requirement, STM personnel will be tolerant of any 12-year olds who do not have the required access to reduced fare ID card, but only until Fall 2004.

Effective immediately
As provided for in the law, these new by-laws were approved by the City of Montreal, during its assembly held on August 25, 2003. The first by-law, R-036, comes into effect on September 12, followed by the second, R-037, on September 13. They will automatically repeal the existing CA-3, CA-105 and CA-105-1 by-laws.

The by-laws will be posted along platforms and inside the entrance to each métro station during the fall. Two different posters were created, each with its own visual concept, to make a clear distinction between the two regulations. Both will appear on the STM’s Website www.stm.info, as well as in a brochure available at the Customer Services Centre, located inside Berri-UQAM station, next to the turnstiles.

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