Montreal's light-rail network shuts down until mid-August for new line testing

Commuters on Montreal's South Shore who rely on the new light-rail network to get to and from the island are going to have to find a different option for much of the summer. 

The regional transit authority, Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM), says the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) will be completely closed from Saturday through Aug. 17 in preparation for the network's upcoming service launch.

REM service on the South Shore branch will resume on Aug. 18, with detailed resumption schedules available later this summer.

This work is part of the ongoing effort to complete the REM lines that link Montreal's West Island and the North Shore to downtown. Completion of the Deux-Montagnes and Anse-à-l'Orme branches was pushed back to the fall, but the REM warned late last year that the testing phase would disrupt service over the summer. 

Users are encouraged to consider travelling outside of peak hours or to favour teleworking whenever possible, the ARTM said in a news release this week.

While shuttle buses will be running over the Champlain Bridge connecting Brossard, Que., to downtown, the agency says several public transit options remain available for travel between the South Shore and Montreal, including the Metro and commuter train.

WATCH | Why the REM needs to shut down for 6 weeks: 

Why Montreal’s REM light-rail network is closed for 6 weeks this summer

21 days ago

Duration 1:49

The South Shore line of the REM, the only one currently in operation, will be closed for commuters until Aug. 17 for network-wide tests to get the next two lines ready to roll out in October 2025.

During this closure period, some regular Exo routes will see increased service. Exo routes serving the Longueuil and Angrignon terminals will have their frequency increased. The Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) will maintain regular frequency (instead of summer schedule) on several bus routes connecting REM stations to the Longueuil terminal. 

The ARTM has also implemented preferential measures for buses to increase service reliability and fluidity, including reserved lanes on certain routes, police presence at specific intersections in Montreal and a parking area that will allow for better bus regulation, it says. 

For the months of July and August, shuttles 568, 176, 721 and 722, as well as the collective taxi T72, will be available for free access to users to mitigate the impacts of this closure.

REM service will also be available for free access from August 18 to 31.

However, access to local lines 47 and 38 of the RTL, as well as all other public transportation services, requires a valid fare.

For more details about the shuttles, check the REM website.