Montrealers can ride the REM for free this week

A REM station at Gare Centrale/Central Station in Montreal, Thursday, November 14, 2024. The REM has been plagued with shutdowns throughout the winter in its second year running. (Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press) (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

As of Monday, fares will be suspended on Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain (REM) light rail train to make up for service breakdowns.

“In recent weeks, users have not received the level of service they are entitled to expect,” the REM said in a news release.

It is also changing its schedule from Feb. 24 and 28. Trains will only run during morning and evening peak hours, between 5:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Special shuttle buses will be available all day to fill the service gap.

By modifying schedules and fares, it hopes to “offer more predictability to REM users.”

These measures will be reassessed weekly based on the progress made by Alstom and AtkinsRéalis, the REM added in the news release. Teams will be on the ground for maintenance to stabilize service.

“Our priority will always be to provide quality service to our users. Robust interventions are necessary, and CDPQ Infra will do everything possible to rectify the situation,” said the release.

The REM has come under fire this past month after repeat breakdowns, mainly due to winter weather.

Transportation Minister Geneviève Guilbault took to social media last week to ask the CDPQ Infra, the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) and other partners to “find and implement solutions to the breakdowns” and come up with backup plans.

On Sunday, she shared the REM’s free ridership announcement on X, noting that even the CDPQ Infra deemed the service interruptions as “unacceptable.”

Brossard Mayor Doreen Assaad called to have bus lines replaced by the REM back on the road permanently, and called the REM “a fail” in an interview with CJAD 800 host Aaron Rand Friday.

The REM has said it was having problems with snow clearance, switch de-icing and winter brakes. A spokesperson said it was working with partners to modify or replace switches for reliable service.