The STM is reminding homeless Montrealers that they are welcome to seek refuge from the cold inside the metro system.

In partnership with the Société développement social du Québec (SDS), the Montréal police, the Médecins du monde, and the Old Brewery Mission, health and shuttle services will also be made available.

"There is a need," said Stephanie Gareau, president of the SDS. "The fact that we have people in the ground, it gives the message that if they want to go somewhere or they need help, they can turn to us."

While homeless people can stay inside as long as they want during the day, nobody can be inside the system during the night.

"(The shuttles) are a way to bring them to the right place," said Philippe Schnobb, chairman of the STM. "This is very different from other networks where they are not allowed. In Montreal they can stay and they have services if they need them."

Those services include a mobile clinic provided by the Médecins du Monde.

Since 2012, when the partnership was first established, the number of interventions with homeless people has risen steadily.