REM service disruptions continue amid weather and technical issues

The Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) faced significant service disruptions Tuesday, following a difficult day of delays on Monday.

Service on the REM has been interrupted for an indefinite period due to a major icebreaking operation.

REM told CityNews in a statement: “We are trying a more intense operation to bring our rail switches working again. We’ll Know more later on this afternoon.”

“As of 12:20 p.m., service will be interrupted throughout the network in order to carry out a major de-icing operation to free up switches,” the REM said on the social network X.

REM officials met with the Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault on Tuesday following the service interruptions and they say that, “It is clear that we all understand the frustration of the users of our network, which is not functioning at the expected level of service. The switch problem experienced in recent days is well identified and the appropriate solution will be implemented. The switch systems were supposed to be operational in winter and they are not. Alstom and AtkinsRealis have therefore agreed that these switches will be modified or replaced to ensure reliable and efficient service.”

They explain that their operators, Alstom and AtkinsRealis, “must significantly improve the performance of winter equipment and communications to users. We are working with our public transport partners to limit the impact of service interruptions. All teams are working to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.”

As for the service this afternoon, it will resume in approximately 50 minutes they add, but with a smaller amount of cars. Shuttles will be available in the meantime.

An icebreaking operation was reportedly completed last night, but the strong winds brought snow and ice back to the network, requiring a new intervention.

The time of resumption of service is undetermined. A shuttle bus service is available for users who are caught off guard by the slowdown in REM service.

A switch malfunction this morning caused delays in both directions between Brossard and Gare Centrale, with trains running at an estimated frequency of 22 minutes. Bus shuttles are available as an alternative, with real-time locations accessible on their website.

REM told CityNews in a statement this morning: “Yesterday evening we knew of a power outage near Griffintown. We decided to shut down the network for the evening to work on our switches. Our switches are still affected by the large amount of snow fallen on our network, carried out by the wind. This snow is affecting the mechanisms of our switches, and we cannot run trains normally. So, we offer a reduced service with two trains running between Brossard and Montréal.”

REM services also added crews are working to restore service and bring it back to normal as soon as possible.

Monday late afternoon, the power outage near Griffintown led to a full network shutdown at 5:30 p.m. for snow removal operations.

REM attributed the disruptions to the snow and cold weather, which continued to impact the network’s operations this morning.