THE first section of the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) automated metro system opened in Montreal on July 31.
Initially 8km long with five stations from (Montreal) Gare Centrale to Brossard, the network is planned to be 67km long serving the wider region – as it is in addition to the existing Montreal metro system – and partly will reuse the former Deux-Montagnes branch heavy rail commuter line. Alstom has supplied 106 new two-car Metropolis Saint-Laurent 1.5kV DC trains built at its Sri City factory in India.
Passengers could use the new line free of charge for the first two days.The front of the trains are already popular, offering views of the Montreal CBD and the St Lawrence River which is crossed on the 3.4kmlong Samuel-De Champlain Bridge which is shared with major roads.
Two of the Alstom-built REM EMUs Nos. 030+036 arrive at Brossard on the second day of public service, August 1, 2023.
DLANGHAM