Construction of the REM: the disturbances to be expected for the commuter rail

Photo Archives / Agence QMI

Zechariah Goudreault

Monday, February 19, 2018 21:13

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Monday, February 19, 2018 21:13

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Experts and users of the commuter train are concerned about the construction work ahead of the express Network metropolitan (REM) on the suburban line to deux-Montagnes, which could affect the commuting habits of thousands of people.

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“If there was an extended closure [of the line of Two-Mountains], this would be catastrophic for the users”, have arrested the chairman of the Trajectory Québec, François Pépin.

In the end, the construction of the REM will result in the removal of the train cars electric’s current line of Two-Mountains so that a new light rail system to circulate in 2021.

Two months of the commencement of the work, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has not determined when the movement of users of the commuter train line of Two-Mountains will be disturbed, but promises that measures will be taken to “maintain a supply in transit”.

“Users will be notified well in advance of the various interventions that are required”, was assured by e-mail Jean-Vincent Lacroix, director of media relations of the subsidiary, CDPQ Infra.

According to Florence Junca-Adenot, professor in the department of urban studies and tourism, Université du Québec à Montréal, the service could be “severely disrupted” during two years on this line.

“It’s going to be the cacophony. To build the new system [light rail], it is necessary to stop the line of Two-Mountains, it is certain […] I am a little worried,” she said.

Back to the car

Zechariah Goudreault/ 24 Hours

Volunteers from the coalition Trainsparence distributed Monday, in the different stations of the suburban train line of Two-Mountains, a few thousand leaflets to denounce the imminent arrival of the EMN.

“I met a lot of people who are not happy with the arrival of the REM and who worry about its environmental and economic impacts of [ … ], They are aware of the problem,” said the volunteer, Laurel Thomson, met in the late afternoon to the Central Station.

Zechariah Goudreault/ 24 Hours

While the establishment of a bus service during the development of the REM on the line of Two-Mountains is one of the options considered, some users have expressed their dismay at the “24 Hours” and claimed that they could turn to the automobile if they no longer can take the train to get to work.

“Buses will be stuck in traffic. If the users return to the car, they will not return necessarily to the public transportation [after work]”, predicts a lecturer at the School of superior technology and president of the organization Option transport durable, Luc Gagnon.