Plan ahead: Montreal’s REM taking a 6-week ‘summer break’ starting Saturday

Starting Saturday, commuters across the Montreal region should brace for delays as the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) will undergo a complete six-week shutdown until Aug.17.

The closure, announced by the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) in collaboration with CDPQ Infra and transit agencies including exo, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), and the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL), is necessary to carry out testing across the entire network ahead of the next phase of the REM’s launch.

“From July 5 to Aug. 17, 2025, our construction teams have a lot of work to do getting ready for the next section to go live,” the REM said on their website.

“For that, a full shutdown of the REM will be necessary,” they added. “There are numerous transit options available for passengers travelling between the South Shore and downtown Montreal.” 

Temporary measures

During this period, transit authorities are introducing a number of temporary measures aimed at minimizing disruption. Bus services on key routes will be reinforced, particularly for lines connecting the South Shore to downtown Montreal. Exo will increase the frequency of its lines serving the Longueuil and Angrignon terminals, while RTL will maintain its regular, non-summer schedule on buses servicing the Longueuil terminus.

STM and RTL will also deploy special shuttle services linking areas such as Brossard, Panama, and Île-des-Sœurs to downtown, with the busiest routes running as frequently as every two to four minutes during peak hours.

“Please note that bicycles and pets are not accepted on shuttle buses,” the REM said on their website. “Guide dogs and service dogs are welcome at all times.”

To ease the burden on commuters, shuttle services including STM’s 721 and 568, RTL’s 722, and the T72 shared taxi between Panama and Nuns’ Island will be offered free of charge throughout July and August.

While these added services aim to absorb some of the demand, officials caution that no bus system can fully replicate the REM’s capacity or efficiency, and riders should expect congestion and extended wait times during peak periods.

Working from home is encouraged

In an effort to reduce the strain on the network, ARTM is encouraging riders to consider teleworking or travelling outside of peak hours where possible.

Meanwhile, alternative transit options remain available, including the metro’s yellow line and commuter trains on the Mont-Saint-Hilaire and Candiac lines, which continue to connect the South Shore to Montreal.

Several bus lines across STM and exo networks will also see expanded service during the shutdown, with additional departures introduced in sectors such as Nuns’ Island, Le Richelain-Roussillon, Vallée-du-Richelieu, and Sainte-Julie.

There will be up-to-date information posted on the REM’s website.

Though the closure is expected to cause inconvenience, it represents a critical step toward the eventual launch of the REM’s Deux-Montagnes and Anse-à-l’Orme branches. REM service will be available to the public from July 1 to 4 and will fully resume on August 18, with further details on the reopening schedule to be released later this summer.