Residents in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood say they’re concerned about the detour bus 161 has to take because of construction.

Major work on Van Horne Avenue has forced the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) bus to reroute to de la Peltrie Street, passing both a daycare and a local park.

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“It’s a narrow street where there are a lot of children,” said Nida Quirapas, a home daycare owner.

“It is dangerous here on the corner. The kids are very young.”

People who live in the area say their residential street can’t accommodate a bus that comes every three minutes during rush hour.

“It doesn’t make sense that you’re going to put a main bus line passing here,” said resident Joseph Gamliel.

After receiving multiple complaints about the situation, Montreal Coun. Marvin Rotrand said he sent a letter asking the STM to move the bus route to Victoria Avenue and Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road.

“I really don’t understand what the STM is doing. The 161 is a 10-minute bus, which means it runs in rush hour every three minutes,” he told Global News.

“They have to detour the bus, but the detour they chose makes absolutely no sense. It’s a narrow residential street they chose in front of a park used by a ton of kids, then they route the bus in front of a seniors’ residence and a seniors’ centre with people constantly crossing the street.”

The transit authority responded, insisting that its chosen route on de la Peltrie Street was the best option.

“When we plan detours for a bus route, our crews work to establish an alternate route that minimizes additional travel time, meets our operational needs and is as close as possible to the original route,” the STM wrote in a statement to Global News.

“We also ensure that the chosen route does not involve any issues of safety. Our bus drivers are professionals of the road, and their priority is to ensure safe travel for all: customers, cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.”

Rotrand argues that if something isn’t done soon, an accident is sure to occur.

“It shows insensitivity to the citizens of this part of Montreal,” he said.

Roadwork in the area is expected to last several more months.

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