STM blocks off Bonaventure metro benches
In Bonaventure metro, certain benches in the area where tunnels converge on the ticket booth level, made of stone or composite, have been used by itinerants for decades. The STM has now built big pointy wooden boxes around them to make them unusable, saying it’s a measure against Covid. Statement from the STM on Twitter.
Uatu 11:39 on 2021-02-18 Permalink
Yeah they installed them yesterday and I know it’s mean but I stopped using the metro last March because every day getting to the platform meant running a gauntlet of coughing homeless people. Unfortunate but necessary
Max 15:46 on 2021-02-18 Permalink
Global has a bit of video on this. It looks like the boarding was only applied to the parts of the mezzanine east and west of the centre of the station. I imagine the homeless will continue to congregate at the ends of the mezzanine (which is where they mostly hung out before anyway).
https://globalnews.ca/video/7647818/homeless-advocates-condemn-decision-to-cover-benches
I wish they’d done something less visually intrusive to deal with this. From the video it looks just terrible.
dhomas 20:01 on 2021-02-18 Permalink
At least they mention that it’s to prevent the spread of COVID. They must have learned what not to do from the MTA in New York:
https://i.redd.it/sgtsyxp8w5g61.jpg
Kate 22:03 on 2021-02-18 Permalink
Relevant observation there, dhomas.