You can now flag issues in the Montreal Metro system by text

The Socit de transport de Montral (STM) has established a non-urgent text line for transit users to signal security issues in the Metro network.

The agency said on Monday that the text line, 1-888-786-1119, will give Metro riders a greater sense of security.

"Our clients want to more easily and more discreetly flag incivilities or situations that can make people feel unsafe in our network," Marie-Claude Lonard, the director-general of the STM, said in a statement.

"This text message will also allow our security teams to get more information, allowing them to intervene more quickly to de-escalate situations that could affect our users' experiences."

The agency has already boosted security in and around several Metro stations in response to a spike in complaints from riders who feel unsafe in the network. Montreal police have also increased the presence of officers in and around Metro stations.

The messages from the text line are sent to the STM's operations room, where dispatchers will be able to assign resources to the problem, including the STM's security ambassadors, the mobile social intervention team known as MMIS, special constables, the police or maintenance staff.

A similar text line exists in Toronto, the STM said.

In addition to the text line, transit users can also flag issues in the Metro system using the red telephones in the stations to contact the control room, using the intercom in the Metro trains to contact the train operator, speaking to staff inside the stations, as well as by calling 911 in case of emergencies.

WATCH | More on how the new text line works:

See something disturbing on the Montreal Metro? You can now text the STM

2 days ago

Duration 1:50

The citys transit authority, the STM, has set up the non-urgent text line at 1-888-786-1119 for users to signal minor security issues.