Sunnybrooke REM commuters frustrated as free parking shrinks

Commuters say they were shocked that about a third of parking spaces at 2 West Island REM stations abruptly switched to paid parking.

A third of the parking spaces at the Sunnybrooke REM station were converted to paid parking last week, surprising commuters who say there was already a shortage of spots.

One commuter said it has become a nightmare to find parking, noting that the new paid spaces have become a deterrent for some.

A day pass costs $10 and a monthly pass is $120.

While drivers circle the lot looking for free spaces, the pay-parking section is almost completely empty.

According to the REM, having a paid section at each of the Deux-Montagnes line stations was always part of the plan. A grace period was in place at the start of service but ended in February.

A decision has not yet been made about paid parking at the other West Island line stations, which are scheduled to open in the spring.

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Anastasia Assimakopoulos, a city councillor in neighbouring Dollard-des-Ormeaux, said limiting the number of free spaces could affect whether some commuters choose to take the REM.

“Factoring in the reliability and if the parking is free or paid, whether or not you’re going to be stressing in the morning to find a spot,” she said.

Assimakopoulos added that some residents have been confused by signage near the station entrance that makes it seem as though the entire lot is paid parking.