Further delays in opening REM new branches

Montrealers eager to ride the full Réseau express métropolitain (REM) will have to wait a little longer.

The new Deux-Montagnes branch in the Laurentians is set to now open in November, a month later than planned — while service to l’Anse-à-l’Orme in the West Island of Montreal is reportedly postponed until spring 2026.

Since the REM construction began, bus shuttles have been in place for users of the Deux-Montagnes line.

Originally, the two new branches were scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024, but was then postponed until fall 2025. Management had been talking about October for several months.

CDPQ Infra provided an update on the schedule for the commissioning of the REM lines on Thursday.

Regarding the the Deux-Montagnes branch, they explained that the exact date will be announced in the coming weeks, based on the dry run to test the REM throughout the day at the frequency and number of trains reflecting actual service.

“This represents the last phase before commercial service begins,” they said.

As for the Anse-à-l’Orme branch, they explained that it will be commissioned next spring to allow the operator to “gradually manage the addition of branches and cars on a network that will expand from 17 km to 67 km once the three branches are operational.”

“The last few months have shown that our teams are determined to become stronger in order to operate a large-scale network, and that it’s important to move forward step by step,” said Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and Chief Executive Officer, CDPQ Infra. “This approach will enable us to ensure a quality experience that lives up to the expectations of the riders who will be adopting the REM starting in November.”

With the addition of the Deux-Montagnes branch, the REM’s network operations will reach 50 km in November and include 19 stations.

What commuters think of the delays?

“I’m a bit worried that it’s getting delayed,” said one Montrealer.

“I just think expanding the service is the wonderful idea,” added another. “There’s so many pedestrians moving around and the transport in Montreal is wonderful, so it’ll be a great addition.”

“I despise the REM,” said another commuter. “It never works and it makes my life less efficient.”

-With files from the Canadian Press