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How to apply

Review the paratransit eligibility criteria and complete your application. 

Publication date: August 28, 2026

To be approved for paratransit

Download the application form

Paratransit eligibility criteria

You’re eligible if:

  1. You have a disability or limitation that creates ongoing challenges in your daily activities.
  2. You have limited mobility that justifies the use of paratransit.

More specifically, you’re eligible if you:

  • Cannot walk at least 400 metres
  • Are unable to step up a 35 cm step, even with support, and can only step down with support
  • Are unable to take an entire trip using the bus or metro system
  • Often lose track of where you are or what time it is
  • Cannot cope with situations or behaviours that could compromise your safety or the safety of others
  • Cannot communicate using words or gestures and you also meet at least one of the other criteria above

The same criteria throughout Québec

The eligibility criteria are set by Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable. They are the same for all paratransit services. 

Get an overview of the criteria on this page, or see the policy. 

How to apply

Three key items to include

  1. Eligibility form, to be completed and signed. Part 2 must be filled out by a professional in the health or school system who has access to your diagnosis.
  2. A recent photo, to be included with your application.
  3. Proof of age, such as a photocopy of your passport or health insurance card.

Once you’ve completed the form and have the other two items ready, send everything to the address on the form. 

Need help? Contact us. 

Response times

If your form is complete and signed and you have included a current photo and proof of age, you will receive a written decision within 45 days of when we receive your application.

Incomplete or illegible applications will be returned, causing a delay in when you can start using paratransit services.

Approval for paratransit

Once your application has been processed, we’ll send you

  • a letter to let you know whether your application has been approved
  • your paratransit ID card (if you’ve been approved), which is an OPUS card with photo

With these two items, you are ready to use paratransit. 

Travel with a companion 

Your approval letter will tell you whether a companion is optional or mandatory. If travelling with a companion is 

  • mandatory, you must always be accompanied by another person on every ride. They must be at least 14 years old and must assist you on board during the trip. They don’t have to pay a fare. 
  • optional, you can bring one person with you. This type of support is only for people with impaired mobility.  The person accompanying you has to pay their fare.
  • for a parent, you can travel with your children under the age of 14 registered in your file. If you are under the age of 14, you can travel with both your parents and, if necessary, another companion.  If having a companion is optional, everyone travelling with you must pay a fare.  If it’s mandatory, one person can travel with you free of charge.
  • to familiarize yourself with paratransit, you can be accompanied temporarily by an adult whose role is to teach you how it works.  They don’t have to pay a fare.

Your Transport adapté OPUS card

This is the card where you load your fares. Present it to the driver whenever you use paratransit. 

If you travel exclusively by paratransit, you can only load a: 

With your Paratransit ID card on OPUS, you can bring a companion free of charge when you travel on the STM bus and métro network.

Reduced and free fares

If you qualify for a reduced fare, your card will say “TA TARIF RÉDUIT.”

  • Kids aged 6 to 15 automatically qualify for the reduced fare. 
  • Starting at age 16, full-time students enrolled in a recognized educational institution are eligible for the student fare. To get this fare, you must have an OPUS card with photo.
  • Montreal residents aged 65 and over are automatically eligible for the free fare.  


Lost or stolen cards

Your Transport adapté OPUS card is guaranteed in the event of loss or theft. This means you can replace it and reload any fares that were still valid at the time it was lost or stolen. 

Paratransit for visitors to Montreal 

If you have been approved for paratransit in Québec, you are authorized to use STM paratransit services.

If you’re visiting from a different province, you can use paratransit services if you always use a wheelchair when you travel.

In both cases, you need to create a Paratransit customer record.

How to create an STM Paratransit customer record

Contact our Customer Service department and tell us:

  • your file number with the paratransit provider in your municipality, if you’re visiting from another part of Québec and have been approved for paratransit services
  • whether you use a mobility aid
  • whether you can transfer easily
  • the dates of your visit
  • whether you have a companion
  • how many pieces of luggage you have, if applicable

We’ll provide you with a customer number to give to the driver when you use paratransit.