‘Breaking-in’ period to be expected say REM train officials after service interruptions

The organization responsible for Montreal’s new light-rail train line says it’s looking into the situation after track switch problems led to two service disruptions within 24 hours of the network’s official launch on Monday.

It emerged Tuesday that a second service interruption occurred at around 11 p.m. Monday and lasted about an hour, during which time would-be riders were directed to shuttle buses.

That incident followed a 75-minute service interruption on the line known as the REM during the morning rush hour, including a 45-minute total shutdown.

Emmanuelle Rouillard-Moreau, spokesperson for REM owner CDPQ Infra, said it is investigating what caused the switching system to fail. “Our teams are working continuously and various measures are being considered to address the situation,” she said in a statement.

She said the REM, or Réseau express métropolitain, will also make adjustments to its communications after its social media accounts were silent about the nighttime disruption, with messages appearing only in stations and inside trains.

2:00 Montreal’s multi-billion-dollar REM light-rail shuts down on first official day

• Montreal’s multi-billion-dollar REM light-rail shuts down on first official day
• Excitement, optimism as hundreds line up to ride Montreal’s new REM light-rail
• Light-rail REM train launch marks a new era for Montreal public transit
• Réseau Express Métropolitain Transit App
• New REM train network means major changes for Montreal’s South Shore commuters

Previous Video

Next Video

Rouillard-Moreau explained the new driverless, electric train line is still in its “breaking in” period. “As with any metro network,” she said, “this period of continuous adjustment is a necessary step, and we thank users for their understanding.”

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Meanwhile, the REM counted 25,000 passengers on Monday, far fewer than the approximately 60,000 riders a day who took to the network over the weekend when entry was free.

Rouillard-Moreau said Monday’s ridership nevertheless demonstrates interest in the new transit service, which is expecting around 30,000 daily passengers during the busier autumn season.

The REM currently includes five stations along a 16.6-kilometre route between downtown Montreal and the suburb of Brossard across the Saint Lawrence River to the southeast.

It’s the first branch of what will eventually become a 26-station, 67-kilometre network spanning much of the Montreal metro area. Two other branches, to the city’s western and northern suburbs, are scheduled to open at the end of 2024. An airport link won’t open until 2027.

REM trains run every three minutes and 45 seconds during rush hour, transporting passengers between Montreal and Brossard in as little as 18 minutes.