Longer commute times coming to Deux-Montagnes train line next month

Frustrations on the Deux-Montagnes commuter rail line have been increasing in recent years.

And they continue to mount.

A change in the train schedule coming into effect March 25 will mean passenger travel time will increase by five minutes in each direction to and from Montreal.

READ MORE: Deux-Montagnes commuters frustrated over lack of info about train shutdown

The increases will affect both the Deux-Montagnes and Mascouche train lines.

“Everyday you come to the train you feel frustrated,” Minhdien Le, a commuter told Global News at the Canora train station in Town of Mount Royal on Friday.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Everyday you come to the train you feel frustrated," Minhdien Le, a commuter told Global News at the Canora train station in Town of Mount Royal on Friday.

The schedule change and commuting time increase is due to the ongoing work on the tracks and the stations to build a new electric train network — known as the REM. The latter is taking over the Deux-Montagnes line from exo.

WATCH: Deux-Montagne train users protest REM construction

0:44 Deux-Montagne train users protest REM construction

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) purchased the line from exo last April but exo will remain the operator of the existing train service until the REM is up and running by the end of 2023.

As construction on this line continues to ramp up for the new REM– so to do service cuts.

“It’s yet another nail in the coffin of the commuter — in particular the Deux-Montagnes train line commuters,” Sandy Weigens, a Deux-Montagnes train rider told Global News.

READ MORE: Deux-Montagnes train delays have some commuters considering moving, changing jobs, retirement

Officials at exo admit it’s challenging to provide the best service possible during the rail line changes.

“We are conscious of the effects of these changes on our riders. A lot of our colleagues are also riders and we feel for them and our point now, is to give the best service possible under the circumstances,”Louis-André Bertrand, a spokesperson for exo, told Global News.

Also two stations — Canora and Mont-Royal — will be closing as of May 21. Passengers will have to walk an additional 250 metres to a temporary platform that will be built halfway between the stations.