STM to launch study into protective barriers on Metro platforms - Action News
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Montreal

STM to launch study into protective barriers on Metro platforms

A researcher at the Universit du Qubec Montral says the barriers, known as platform screen doors, are one of the most effective ways to prevent metro suicides.

Transit authority says barriers prevent people from entering the tunnels, objects from falling onto tracks

The STM will launch a study next year into protective barriers that it says will prevent people from entering the Metro tunnels, and objects from falling onto the tracks. (CBC)

Montreal's public transit authority (STM) will launch astudy next year into protective barriers it says will prevent people from entering the Metrotunnels, and objects from falling onto the tracks.

The move comes as the Metro's long-awaitedBlue Line expansion draws nearer. TheSTMsays once those stations are complete, there will be an increase in ridership andplatforms on the Orange Line will become more crowded than usual.

A researcher at theUniversit du Qubec Montralsays the barriers, called platform screen doors,are also one of the most effective ways to prevent metro suicides.

"When [people] can't access the methods they were thinking about, it kind of stops their unraveling," said Ccile Bardon, a researcher who specializes in suicide.

The sliding doors exist in Beijing, Shanghai, Paris, Tokyo and London. (CBC)

"It forces them to think again. That gives [bystanders] the breathing space where [they] can act."

About four years ago, Toronto's board of health unanimously recommended that its transit authority, the Toronto Transit Commission, install the barriers but they weren't installed, in part for financial reasons.

The sliding doors exist in Beijing, Shanghai, Paris, Tokyo and London.

High price tag a deterrent

The STM is set to conduct a feasibility study for the barriers at 13 stations on the Orange Line, between Crmazie and Bonaventure stations.

The STM is set to conduct a feasibility study for 13 stations on the Orange Line, between Crmazie and Bonaventure Metro stations. (Hlne Simard/CBC)

The STM considered installing barriers before, but abandoned the idea because of the high price tag, Radio-Canada reported.

In the past, the estimated cost was between $10 and $15 million per station. The STM won't say exactly how much they think it will cost this time around.

With files from CBC's Navneet Pall


Where to get help:

Canada Suicide Prevention Service:1-833-456-4566

In Quebec (French):Association qubcoise de prvention du suicide: 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)