Alstom has celebrated the official commissioning of the new Réseau express métropolitain (REM) branch to Montreal’s West Island.
Commissioned by CDPQ Infra; the move marks a major milestone in the development of one of the world’s most modern automated public transit networks – adding 14 kilometres to the existing 50 kilometre infrastructure.
By adding 14 kilometres to the existing network, the REM now offers a sustainable alternative to driving for residents of the West Island who wish to travel to downtown Montreal
© Alstom/C. Fleury
With this new branch connecting the city of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, located at the western tip of the Island of Montreal, to the existing network; the REM reaches 64 kilometres and 23 stations, and offers passengers a connection to Montreal’s downtown via a transit service operating 20 hours a day, with trains running on the central segment every four minutes during peak hours.
Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas, said:
We are extremely proud to contribute to the opening of this new branch, which significantly improves daily mobility for residents across the metropolitan region.
This project demonstrates our ability to deliver complex, large‑scale turnkey transportation systems equipped with the best available technologies. Congratulations to CDPQ Infra, our employees and all our partners.
Going forward; the REM will stand to serve as a showcase for Alstom’s full range of urban technologies, highlighting its experience providing turnkey projects and services that aim to transform mobility throughout Canada.
This project has seen the company deliver a complete, automated, driverless light metro system, including 212 Metropolis cars; Urbalis signalling systems; onboard Wi-Fi connectivity; cybersecurity solutions; and platform screen doors.
Alstom is committed to the REM for the long-term through Pulsar, its joint venture handling operation and maintenance work for a course of 30 years.
REM maintenance teams will utilise Alstom’s HealthHub digital platform, a predictive maintenance solution that monitors the fleet and infrastructure in real time, leveraging artificial intelligence to analyse data collected across the entire railway system.
Once completed, the REM is set to become one of the world’s largest and most advanced automated mass transit networks, featuring 26 stations across 67 kilometres, connecting downtown Montreal to the South Shore, North Shore, West Island and Montreal‑Trudeau International Airport.