The Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) cancelled all commuter rail services on the Candiac line Wednesday morning due to a Mohawk blockade on the railway bridge connecting the south shore to LaSalle.
Activists blocked the bridge since 6 p.m. Tuesday and are expected to remain in place until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The protest was organized as a show of solidarity with activists in Standing Rock, North Dakota, who oppose the construction of a pipeline through the Sioux reservation.
“It’s really sad. It’s heartbreaking. It’s hard to watch the videos and it’s hard to listen to the stories and not want to do something about it because they are being mistreated,” said Melissa Montour, a demonstrator.
The AMT offered an alternative bus service to Montreal leaving from the Delson, Candiac, Saint-Constant and Sainte-Catherine stations only.
Commuters were taken to the Mansfield bus terminal in downtown Montreal.
Transit users who normally take the train at the Lasalle station were asked to use local Société de transport de Montréal (STM) services to get to their destination.
“It’s only a minor inconvenience but sorry but this action makes you more aware,” said Blair Dearhouse, a demonstrator.
Service from Montreal to the south shore wascompletely cancelled as has all service outside of the rush hour commute.
The AMT has yet to confirm whether the afternoon commute will be affected.
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