Montreal East-End Youth Decry Public Transit Isolation, Demand Solutions
Young people in Montreal's east end are raising their voices against what they describe as inadequate and isolating public transit options that severely limit their access to education, employment, and social opportunities.
"Forgotten at the Terminus": A Youth-Led Report Exposes Transit Inequities
Alexandre Fabien Gagné, a 19-year-old member of the Conseil jeunesse de RDP-PAT, recently presented a compelling 28-page report titled "Forgotten at the terminus: The network that turns its back on east-end youth" at a borough council meeting. The document argues that the lack of proper transit infrastructure in areas like Rivière-des-Prairies—Pointe-aux-Trembles creates significant barriers.
"There's almost a kind of humiliating aspect to being from the east end, because it's so complicated and so long to get anywhere," Gagné explained, noting that his daily commute to McGill University takes approximately one hour and twenty minutes each way. "We spend our lives on the bus."
Educational Access and Safety Concerns Amplify the Crisis
The report highlights startling comparisons, revealing that for students in the east end, driving to Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières can be faster than taking public transit to reach Université de Montreal. This transportation gap directly impacts educational opportunities.
Furthermore, the youth council raises serious safety issues, with students often waiting up to an hour at poorly lit bus stops in what they describe as "unfrequented, unprotected, or isolated areas."
"There are a lot of young people who are left in vulnerable places," emphasized Darlène Jean Jacques, co-president of the youth council. The 20-year-old Concordia University student detailed her own challenging commute, which involves driving to Olympic Park before taking the métro downtown. "It's as if I lived off the island," she lamented. "It's not fair. And it shows how little value the city has placed on the east end."
Calling for Immediate and Long-Term Solutions
While the Quebec government has committed to a future tramway project known as the Projet structurant de l'Est to replace the previously planned REM de l'Est light-rail system, the youth council insists that temporary measures are urgently needed. They propose dedicated bus lanes on Sherbrooke and Notre-Dame Streets as an interim solution.
The group's petition calls on the federal government to increase funding for public transit in the area, highlighting what they term a "significant gap" in transit options between Montreal's west and east ends.
Official Responses and Community Support
In response to the report, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) acknowledged ongoing efforts since 2018 to add bus routes and stops in the sector, including improvements for students attending CEGEP Marie-Victorin. Regarding safety concerns, the transit agency stated they "remain attentive to the needs expressed by local communities and regularly analyze opportunities for improvement."
At the council meeting where the youth presented their findings, attendance was so substantial that young participants had to stand behind city council members due to space constraints. Borough mayor Denis Pelletier responded positively, vowing to use whatever power the borough possesses to advance the issue.
"These realities shape the daily lives, aspirations, and life trajectories of our residents," Pelletier affirmed, acknowledging the validity of the youth council's concerns.
The collective voice of Montreal's east-end youth continues to grow louder, demanding equitable transit solutions that bridge the geographical and social divides currently limiting their opportunities and quality of life.
