Controversy surrounds bus line to Westmount CEGEP

MONTREAL – Marianopolis students are furious over what they say is discriminatory behaviour on the part of STM bus drivers.

A common complaint among students who take the 124 bus out of the Vendome Metro stop is that they’ve been kicked off the bus because they’re students.

The STM said it has received six complaints in the last two months about the issue. A spokesperson confirmed that the agency is investigating.

One central question around this issue is if bus drivers are barring students from the bus, what criteria are they using to decide who’s a student and who isn’t?

“We have been profiled as students and that’s not right,” said Maria Rizzuto, a Marianopolis student.

Rizzuto said she has been kicked off the 124 bus in the past.

There is a 124 bus designated for Marianopolis students, but they complain that bus actually takes longer to get to the college than the regular 124.

“In the morning with traffic, it literally triples the amount of time you’re taking to get to school, you know?” said Claudio Cammuso, an 18-year-old Marianopolis student.

“It really is more convenient to take the other one.”

Combine that with ongoing construction and exam period, and students said you end up with a transportation nightmare.

“Last week was probably the worst week, because we had midterms and we were trying to get there on time,” said Sydney Legare, who said the bus schedule added to her midterm stress.

Students like Rizzuto are quick to point out that they buy the same bus tickets as everyone else, so they believe that they should enjoy equal treatment.

“We sound like rich kids complaining, but yes, we have our rights, and we paid for the bus just like everyone else and we didn’t deserve to be denied that access,” she said.