UPDATE – The REM was officially opened yesterday, JULY 31, 2023.

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is a new light rail transit system being built in Montreal, Quebec. When completed, it will greatly expand and improve public transportation options in the Greater Montreal area.

The REM is an automated, electric light metro system that will have 26 stations and 67 kilometers of track connecting downtown Montreal, the South Shore, the West Island, the North Shore and the airport. It will feature driverless trains running every 3-12 minutes which will allow for high frequency service.

The C$6.3 billion project is being built and will be operated by CDPQ Infra, a subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), the Quebec pension plan. Construction began in April 2018 and the first section of the network is scheduled to open in 2021. The full system should be completed by 2023.

The REM will be the fourth largest automated transportation system in the world after Singapore, Dubai and Vancouver. It aims to provide an efficient, high-capacity, sustainable and reliable alternative to driving that will reduce traffic congestion and emissions.

Motivation for the REM
The Greater Montreal area desperately needed to improve and expand its public transit options. Montreal has an extensive metro and bus system, but service is still lacking to many destinations. The commuter train network is also limited. As a result, there is significant traffic congestion coming in and out of the city each day. Building new expansions of the metro would be incredibly expensive.

The REM provides a more affordable option that can utilize existing infrastructure like railway tracks while also reaching new areas. It will provide faster, more direct service by bypassing the downtown core that the metro must travel through. Travel times will be reduced for trips from downtown to the airport, West Island, North Shore and South Shore.

Key Stations and Connections
The REM will connect with the existing metro system, commuter trains and buses at multiple stations. This will allow easy transfers to expand riders’ reach across the city. Some key stations and connections include:

• Central Station: Downtown hub connecting to Metro Lines 1 (Green), 2 (Orange) and 5 (Blue)
• McGill: Downtown station connecting to Metro Line 2
• Édouard-Montpetit: Station on the South Shore connecting to the Metro Blue Line
• Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue: West Island terminus connecting to the Vaudreuil-Hudson commuter rail line
• Aéroport Montréal-Trudeau: Airport station connecting with existing shuttle buses
• Gare Centrale: Connection to the Montreal Central Station intercity and commuter rail hub
• Édouard-Montpetit: Major bus terminal for South Shore buses

New Infrastructure
About 80% of the REM will utilize existing infrastructure. This includes an 18 km section in the center that follows the route of the Deux-Montagnes commuter train line. This allows costs and construction impacts to be reduced.

However, there are several new pieces of infrastructure being built for the REM:

• An electric power supply system to power the network independently from Hydro-Québec’s grid
• A new rail bridge crossing the St. Lawrence River
• Tunnels under Mount Royal and downtown Montreal
• Elevated tracks and stations in the western part of the city
• Modified road infrastructure around stations to accommodate riders

The REM is being built with future expansions in mind. It will be possible to add new branches and stations to extend the network to other areas of Montreal in the coming decades.

Benefits for Passengers
The REM will provide passengers with many benefits compared to existing transit options:

• High frequency: Trains every 3-12 minutes at all times
• Reliability: Not impacted by weather or traffic unlike buses
• Speed: Faster service with few intermediary stops on most lines
• Comfort: Heated, fully accessible stations and cars
• Convenience: Easy connections from suburbs directly into downtown
• Modern experience: Driverless trains giving a train/metro-like experience

The automated trains and integrated ticketing system will make the network easy to use. Travel times will be predictable which is not always the case currently when relying on congested roads.

The REM will greatly expand rapid transit access to areas of Montreal that have historically been underserved. Tens of thousands more residents will now have a convenient option for getting downtown or to the airport without needing to drive.

Criticism and Controversies
As with any major infrastructure project, the REM has faced some criticism and controversy. Some of the main concerns raised include:

• Displacement of an existing commuter rail line (Deux-Montagnes) which some felt offered superior service
• Questions about the appropriateness and safety of driverless train technology
• Disruption for residents from construction noise, dust and road closures
• Gentrification and rising property values around stations leading to unaffordability
• Light rail being less costly but lower capacity compared to metro expansion
• Operation by CDPQ Infra rather than local transit agencies

Despite the concerns raised, the REM continues to have strong support from all levels of government and much of the public. The network is seen as vital to shaping Montreal’s mobility future.

Outlook and Impact
The REM represents the most significant expansion of metro-like rapid transit service in Montreal since the original metro system was built. It will provide a much-needed mobility upgrade for the metropolitan area. Tens of thousands more residents will gain access to efficient, high-capacity public transportation each day.

This should help reduce car usage, traffic and greenhouse gas emissions. It will also facilitate access to downtown, the airport and other major destinations without needing a car. This supports transit-oriented development.

The REM is a major part of the vision to shape Montreal into an innovative, sustainable, world-class city for the 21st century. This new automated light metro system will improve connectivity and quality of life for residents for decades to come. The project demonstrates how investing in advanced public transit infrastructure can drive growth, productivity and environmental progress.