Montreal’s New Light-Rail Train Network Signals Expansion of Electrified Transit in Canada
Montreal debuted its new light-rail train network, signaling a significant step towards expanding electrified transit in Canada. At the inauguration ceremony attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Francois Legault, the Reseau express metropolitain (REM) was launched as the first five-station branch of the electric rail network. The REM is set to eventually cover 67 kilometers of tracks across 26 stations in the Montreal metro area.
Both Trudeau and Legault expressed their confidence that the REM’s successful implementation showcased Canada and Quebec’s ability to undertake large-scale transit projects. Trudeau emphasized the importance of electrification in the country’s transportation sector and envisioned a future with increased electric buses and rail, including high-frequency trains. Legault, on the other hand, anticipated that the REM would revolutionize public transit in Quebec and put an end to a phase of talking without substantial infrastructure progress.
What sets the REM apart from other transit projects in Canada is its unique approach to planning and construction. Unlike traditional public transit initiatives like Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown light-rail line and Ottawa’s Confederation Line, the REM does not fall under the jurisdiction of a public transit agency. Instead, its planning and construction are overseen by a subsidiary of Quebec’s public pension fund, which expects to generate profits from the new network. The pension fund has already invested over $3 billion in the REM, which currently carries an estimated cost of $6.9 billion as of 2021. Additional funding has been provided by the Quebec and Canadian governments, as well as Hydro-Quebec, the provincial electric utility.
Premier Legault assured the public that more significant infrastructure projects were on the horizon for the province, signaling a willingness to collaborate further with the pension fund. The first segment of the REM, connecting Montreal’s South Shore to downtown, will commence operations on Monday following its official opening. However, commuters will have the opportunity to experience the system free of charge over the weekend.
With service running 20 hours a day, seven days a week, the REM promises a speedy commute, with trains arriving every three minutes and 45 seconds during peak hours. Travel times from Brossard to downtown Montreal will be reduced to as little as 18 minutes, up to 30 minutes faster than rush-hour drive times, according to Legault.
Montreal’s new light-rail train network signifies a significant step towards expanding electrified transit in Canada. Through the REM, the city and the country are demonstrating their commitment to sustainable transportation and the integration of electric vehicles into the public transit system. As the REM sets a new model for transit planning and construction, it aims to provide commuters with efficient and reliable transportation while contributing to a greener future for Canada.
