As Canada’s population ages, with seniors aged 65 and older representing nearly 20% of Quebec’s population in 2024, maintaining independence and mobility becomes increasingly important. For many seniors in Montreal, Transport Adapté represents a vital lifeline to healthcare appointments, social activities, and essential errands when traditional transportation options become challenging.
Transport Adapté, also known as paratransit, is Montreal’s specialized door-to-door transit service designed for individuals with mobility limitations who cannot use regular public transit. Operated by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), this service provides crucial accessible transportation for seniors and others with functional limitations.
What is Transport Adapté?
Transport Adapté is a specialized public transportation service providing door-to-door transportation for eligible individuals who cannot use Montreal’s regular bus and metro system due to mobility limitations. Unlike regular transit, this service requires advance booking and serves those with permanent functional disabilities.
The STM operates this service using three vehicle types: accessible minibuses equipped with wheelchair lifts, accessible taxis with ramps or lifts, and standard taxis for those who can transfer independently. Vehicle selection depends on passenger mobility needs and available resources.
This accessible transportation service covers Montreal’s entire urban agglomeration, including Île-Bizard, Île Sainte-Hélène, Île Notre-Dame, and Île-des-Soeurs. Seniors requiring transportation beyond Montreal can arrange metropolitan trips across the greater Montreal area through coordinated regional services.
Understanding Eligibility Requirements
To access Transport Adapté services, applicants must meet specific criteria established by Quebec’s Ministère des Transports. The eligibility requirements ensure the service reaches those who genuinely need specialized transportation assistance.
Who Qualifies for Transport Adapté?
Eligibility requires two fundamental criteria. First, you must be classified as a handicapped person under Quebec law—defined as “a person with a deficiency causing a significant and persistent disability, who is liable to encounter barriers in performing everyday activities.” Second, you must have mobility limitations that justify using paratransit services.
Quebec recognizes specific disabilities for Transport Adapté eligibility, including motor impairments affecting mobility, visual impairments preventing safe transit navigation, and cognitive disabilities impacting route understanding or safety. For many seniors, age-related changes in vision, hearing, mobility, or cognitive function create barriers to conventional public transportation.
The Application Process
Applications require detailed forms partially completed by healthcare professionals. Medical assessments must verify functional limitations and transportation impacts. An eligibility committee including transit authority representatives, disability advocates, and health network members reviews each application.
You’ll receive written decisions within 45 days of complete applications. Approved applicants receive OPUS identification cards with user numbers needed for booking and travel, plus reduced fare eligibility proof for seniors 65 and older.
How to Apply for Services
Contact STM’s Transport Adapté customer service at 514-280-8211, option 4 for application materials and guidance. Healthcare professionals must complete form sections assessing and documenting functional limitations—including family physicians, specialists, or other providers familiar with your mobility challenges.
Ensure medical assessments are current and clearly describe how conditions impact regular public transit use. Detailed medical information helps eligibility committees understand transportation needs and make appropriate decisions. All information remains confidential under Quebec’s privacy legislation.
Making Reservations and Using the Service
Approved Transport Adapté users have several booking options. SIRTA online reservation system provides 24/7 access without phone waits. Call 514-280-8211 for automated services (option 3) or reservation agents (option 1).
Trip Types and Scheduling
Regular trips occur at least biweekly at consistent times and locations for minimum four-week periods, providing reliable transportation for ongoing appointments without individual booking. Occasional trips are one-time journeys requested up to seven days advance. Group trips accommodate five or more users travelling together, requiring 10-day advance notice.
Transport Adapté operates seven days weekly with varying hours. You must be ready at confirmed trip times, with vehicles arriving within 30-minute windows. This system enables efficient passenger pairing while maintaining reliable service. Travel times extend up to 90 minutes within Montreal and 120 minutes for metropolitan trips.
Costs and Payment Options
Transport Adapté fares align with STM’s regular pricing, making it affordable for seniors and others with mobility challenges. Seniors aged 65+ automatically qualify for reduced fares.
Payment options include cash (exact change), magnetic fare cards, or OPUS cards with weekly/monthly passes. OPUS cards offer the most convenience—simply show drivers and keep accessible during trips. Newly admitted Transport Adapté customers 65+ automatically receive “TA STM RÉDUIT” ID cards for reduced pricing.
For metropolitan travel beyond Montreal to ARTM areas, different fares apply. Laval or Longueuil trips require AB fares, while North and South Shore journeys need ABC fares.
Free Transit Initiative for Seniors
Montreal implemented free public transit for residents aged 65+ in July 2023. This $40 million annual investment supports senior mobility and includes Transport Adapté services, ensuring seniors with mobility limitations benefit equally.
Montreal resident seniors obtain free transit passes working on buses, metro, trains, and REM throughout Zone A. Access requires photo OPUS cards loaded with “Gratuité 65+, Tous modes A” fares, obtained at metro stations, STM Fairview Pointe-Claire terminus, or metropolitan ticket offices. Bring identification, OPUS 65+ cards, and Montreal agglomeration residence proof.
Alternative Transportation Options
Regular Public Transit Accessibility
STM continues expanding accessibility across regular transit networks. Currently, 30 metro stations feature elevator access, with ongoing annual additions. All STM buses except shuttles and 212 Sainte-Anne line are wheelchair accessible, many featuring multiple wheelchair spaces.
For seniors navigating regular transit with minimal assistance, the free 65+ program makes buses and metro economical. Many seniors combine regular transit and Transport Adapté for optimal flexibility.
Companion Services
Transport Adapté accommodates companion needs, from compulsory assistance for safety to optional companions for support. Seniors with conditions like dementia or severe vision impairments may qualify for compulsory companion status, allowing free support person travel.
Companions must be 14+ years old for compulsory assistance and able to provide necessary journey support. Optional companions pay regular fares but provide valuable emotional support many seniors appreciate.
Health System Integration
Transport Adapté integrates seamlessly with Quebec’s healthcare system, connecting seniors with medical services. The service prioritizes medical appointments, ensuring reliable transportation for crucial healthcare needs.
Major Montreal healthcare facilities work directly with Transport Adapté to coordinate patient transportation. Hospitals like Jewish General, Montreal General, and CHUM have established streamlined pickup and drop-off procedures for seniors attending appointments.
Quebec’s health system offers additional support through the Transportation and Accommodation Program for disabled persons, reimbursing travel costs for specialized treatments requiring 50+ kilometre trips.
Accessibility Features and Safety
Transport Adapté vehicles incorporate accessibility features for various mobility limitations. Wheelchair lifts support up to 364 kg (800 lbs) and accommodate wheelchairs up to 84 cm wide and 137 cm long. All vehicles include secure anchoring systems and mandatory seatbelts.
Service dogs and mobility aids are welcome on all vehicles. Staff receive training in assisting passengers with mobility limitations, including wheelchair securement and safety procedures. Multiple communication options accommodate seniors with hearing or speech impairments.
Working with TheKey and Care Coordination
For seniors receiving TheKey Montreal services, Transport Adapté complements comprehensive care plans supporting aging in place. TheKey care coordinators help integrate transportation planning into overall care strategies through the Balanced Care Method®.
When Transport Adapté eligibility changes due to evolving health conditions, TheKey coordinators assist with re-evaluation applications and alternative planning. For seniors with cognitive changes, TheKey caregivers can provide companion support on approved trips, ensuring safety while maintaining community access.
Financial Assistance Programs
Transportation costs can strain seniors’ fixed incomes. The Transportation and Accommodation Program for disabled persons provides financial assistance for medical transportation costs exceeding 50 kilometres. Seniors receiving social assistance may qualify for transportation reimbursement through Ministère du Travail programs.
Canadian seniors can access tax credits offsetting transportation costs. The Disability Tax Credit provides up to $9,872 relief for qualifying disabilities. The Home Accessibility Tax Credit offers up to $10,000 for accessibility home modifications.
Planning and Best Practices
Successful Transport Adapté use requires understanding booking procedures and planning strategies. Book trips early, particularly for medical appointments, as popular time slots fill quickly during peak periods and winter months.
Create preferred address lists with the STM for up to eight frequently visited locations, streamlining future reservations and reducing address errors. Montreal winters require additional planning—allow extra time for appointments and ensure pickup/drop-off locations remain accessible.
Emergency and Safety Information
All Transport Adapté vehicles maintain GPS tracking and dispatch communication. Seniors should inform customer service about emergency procedures or special requirements, which become part of customer files. The STM monitors weather conditions and may adjust services during severe conditions for passenger safety.
Emergency contacts should include STM customer service (514-280-8211, option 4), your healthcare provider, and designated family members or caregivers familiar with your Transport Adapté needs.
Community Resources and Support
Beyond Transport Adapté, Montreal offers various transportation alternatives. Private companies like Téo Taxi provide adapted vehicles with trained drivers at higher costs but greater flexibility. Community organizations operate volunteer driver programs serving specific populations or geographic areas.
Religious organizations, community centres, and senior service agencies coordinate informal transportation assistance among members, providing valuable social connections alongside transportation support.
Technology and Modern Features
The STM has modernized Transport Adapté with technology benefiting seniors. SIRTA online reservation system provides 24/7 booking, while automated phone services offer simple menu-based trip management. Modern vehicles include GPS tracking enhancing safety, with automated notifications providing trip reminders and arrival updates.
Getting Started Today
Begin by contacting 514-280-8211, option 4 for application materials. Work with healthcare providers ensuring medical assessments reflect your mobility limitations. Gather condition documentation including medical reports and specialist assessments.
Connect with support persons for booking assistance and consider joining user groups for practical advice. Transport Adapté empowers Montreal seniors to maintain independence, social connections, and quality of life despite mobility limitations.
Whether you’re exploring options for yourself or loved ones, Transport Adapté provides reliable, affordable, safe transportation keeping seniors connected to essential services and meaningful activities. Combined with comprehensive care services like TheKey’s Balanced Care Method®, accessible transportation supports holistic aging well at home.
Important Disclaimers
The information in this post reflects Transport Adapté services, STM policies, eligibility requirements, and fare structures as of August 2025. Service availability, booking procedures, vehicle types, operating hours, fare amounts, and eligibility criteria may change based on STM policy updates, Quebec transportation regulations, and municipal funding decisions. Contact STM directly at 514-280-8211 or visit the official STM website for the most current information about Transport Adapté services, application procedures, and scheduling.
This content provides educational information only and should not replace professional consultation with healthcare providers, occupational therapists, or STM customer service representatives regarding eligibility assessments. Individual mobility limitations, functional disabilities, and transportation needs vary significantly based on specific medical conditions, living situations, and personal circumstances. Proper evaluation by qualified medical professionals remains essential for determining Transport Adapté eligibility and documenting functional limitations.
Service capacity, booking availability, trip scheduling, and wait times can vary significantly based on demand, weather conditions, vehicle availability, and operational factors. Free transit eligibility for seniors aged 65+ and companion policies are subject to municipal policy changes and program funding. While we strive for accuracy in presenting transportation service information and accessibility options, readers should verify all service details, costs, eligibility requirements, and booking procedures with official STM sources before making transportation arrangements.
Ready to Learn More About Senior Care Options in Montreal?
If you’re exploring transportation solutions as part of comprehensive senior care planning, TheKey Montreal is here to help. Our experienced care coordinators understand how transportation fits into successful aging at home and can help you navigate both Transport Adapté services and other mobility options.
Contact TheKey today to learn how our Balanced Care Method® supports seniors in maintaining independence, mobility, and quality of life at home.
Our care experts are ready to help you create a comprehensive care plan that includes transportation solutions tailored to your unique needs. Let’s work together to ensure you or your loved one can age successfully in the comfort of home.
