STM to launch study into protective barriers on Metro platforms

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.

"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 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)