Public-transit accessibility should be a priority

Pace of improvements to métro, buses is far too slow, Pearl Eliadis says.

Much of Montreal’s public transit system is inaccessible. This state of affairs is not acceptable and fixing it should be a priority.

One in six commuter rail lines in the Montreal region has fully accessible stations. Only 11 out of 68 métro stations have elevators. Given that 70 per cent of annual trips using the Société de transport de Montreal (STM) system involve the métro, overall, public transit in Montreal is still out of reach for many people.

According to the Canadian Survey on Disability, almost 14 per cent of our population has a disability. Quebec’s aging demographic means that these numbers will likely increase.

Not until 2024 will all Montreal bus routes be fully wheelchair accessible. Based on the STM’s own figures, it will take 187 years for elevators to be installed in all métro stations.

Lack of accessibility affects people in wheelchairs, but it also affects others. Inaccessible transit is an obstacle for many seniors, and people with injuries, cardiovascular problems, or severe arthritis. A lack of elevators or escalators can be dangerous for parents trying to negotiate stairs while trying to balance strollers, toddlers and shopping bags.

In its defence, the STM pleads history, finances and technical difficulties. It also argues that poor quality service in its paratransit service is not discriminatory. Quebec’s human rights commission apparently agrees, at least according to its response to several complaints filed against the STM in 2011.

Sure, the métro was designed and built before elevators and other accessibility features were standard. But Toronto’s system is 10 years older than ours and half of its 69 stations already have elevators. Toronto will have step-free stations by 2025. All of Montreal’s stations will only have elevators in 2203, based on the number of elevators needed and the current rate of installation.

In the United Kingdom, London’s underground system is a century older than Montreal’s, and yet a quarter of its stations are accessible. Its entire bus fleet is already wheelchair accessible.

The STM has an annual budget of about $1.3 billion. In its arguments before Quebec’s rights commission, the STM offered little insight into how financial priorities are set, beyond simple assertions of insufficient funds. Barring an independent audit, we have no real way of knowing. By contrast, Toronto and London have somehow managed to provide more integrated services to more people, despite older rolling stock and infrastructure.

Not only does Quebec law guarantee equality to people on the grounds of disability, age, and family status, among others, but the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says states must ensure people with disabilities can access transportation on a basis equal with others. Montreal’s plan to achieve accessibility ensures that the system will not be fully accessible within our lifetime or that of our children, if ever.

How can the STM’s plans and investments be considered acceptable when they operate to deny full access to public transit? Transit authorities bear responsibility for these inadequate systems and plans. The city of Montreal and other municipal authorities share that responsibility.

The STM has argued — and the Quebec rights commission has agreed — that poor quality service does not amount to discrimination. Sometimes that is true, but in this case shoddy service serves as evidence of discrimination. Its effect is to create disadvantages for people with disabilities and older people, among others. A store owner or educator would never get away with giving poor service to minorities. Why should the STM or the city?

Disability activists have now been forced to take to the courts, hoping for a better result. The Regroupement des activists pour l’inclusion au Québec (RAPLIQ) is seeking permission from Quebec’s Superior Court to file a class action against the STM, the city and the Agence métropolitain de transport.

All Montrealers would benefit from barrier-free public transit.