Cte Saint-Luc seniors want STM shuttle service extended

A group of seniors fromCte Saint-Luc say they rely on the STM shuttle bus service that goes to Carrefour Angrignon shopping centre, but right now, it doesn't go far enough.

The current route drops passengers off in the mall parking lot, making it more difficult toaccess nearby big box stores on the other side of a busyintersection on foot.

"To cross the Angrignon Boulevard, you take your life into your hands," saidMaureen Deery, a resident of St. PatrickSquare, an apartment communityfor those 55 and up on CteSt-Luc Road.

As it stands, the shuttle's last stop is at themall. The group wants the STM to add a stop in front of the Walmartacross the street. From there, they would have easier access to other big box stores.

The proposed stop would be about a kilometre away, which doesn't seem far, but it's a long way to walk for those who aren't as spry as they used to be.

Shuttle provides 'vital access'

The bus line is one of the STM'slast remaining "Navette Or" services designated specifically for seniors. It only runs three times a week and many passengers use it to get all their shopping done in one trip.

"The shuttle is a vital access," Deery toldCBC Montreal'sDaybreak.

Another St. PatrickSquare resident, Jackie MacDonnell, says crossing the six-lane intersection, especially when loaded up with heavy shopping bags, can be a struggle.

"It's hard to get toWalmartbecause it's quite a long walk, we have to cross busy streets and all that," she told CBC.

Some of the users have been pushing for the change since 2015, and evensubmitted a petition.

The STM declined to give an interview on the topic but did issue a statement saying that there's a moratorium on changing seniors' shuttle bus routes and that no changes were being considered for the 262.

'Huge gain for the seniors'

CteSaint-Luc city Coun.DidaBerkutold CBC that she plans to put pressure on the STM to reconsider.

The proposed change would mean"a minor modification for a huge gain for the seniors," she said.

Berku said the extra five minutes could be easily accommodatedby cutting another, rarely used stop on the 262 line.

"It wouldn't take much to simply modify the route," she said. "This is whythisshuttle was created."