REM Frequently Asked Questions

The closures of the Mount Royal Tunnel on May 11, 2020, and the exo6 Deux-Montagnes line on December 31, 2020, have a considerable impact on users of the Mascouche and Deux-Montagnes lines.

For each phase of construction in each sector of these two lines, mitigation measures have been implemented to allow you to continue to use public transit. These measures include:

• Transit alternatives.

• Fare measures.

The elected officials, municipalities and districts affected by the closures have been involved in planning the mitigation measures from the outset. Most notably, they have played an active role in task forces led by the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) and the Ministère des Transports (MTQ).

The fares available to users of the Mascouche and Deux-Montagnes lines during REM construction take the impact of this work into account:

• Users of the Line 15 - Mascouche line benefit from a discount of up to 30% off, to a minimum monthly fare price of $88.50 (indexed to $90.50 on July 1, 2021).

Learn more about the Line - 15 Mascouche fare measure

Users of the Deux-Montagnes line who are eligible for the fare measure and subscribe to OPUS+ or OPUS+ entreprise may take advantage of a preferential monthly fare of $88.50 (for the regular fare) or $53.00 (for student and reduced-rate fares). On July 1, 2021, these rates were indexed to $90.50 and $54, respectively.

Learn more about the exo6 Deux-Montagnes fare measure

The ongoing situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant reduction in passengers using the public transit network in the Greater Montréal Area. This drop in ridership has led us to make several changes to our service:

• On the Line 15 - Mascouche line: Shuttles 501 and 502 have been suspended since August 24, 2020.

• On the exo6 Deux-Montagnes line: Shuttle 405 is suspended.

Since the closure of the Mount Royal Tunnel and the implementation of the mitigation measures, a committee (also called a tactical coordination squad) consisting of representatives from the MTQ, ARTM, STM, STL and exo, has been monitoring the morning and afternoon peak periods on a daily basis.

This committee ensures that operations are synchronized and makes daily adjustments to ensure that service runs as smoothly as possible during peak periods.

Two REM fares exist for exo6 Deux-Montagnes train users who are eligible for this measure. The available fare is determined based on your area of residence:

• The MTLREM fare is available for eligible users who do not reside in the Zone 3 (recently renamed Zone B) catchment area. It allows users to access bus and métro service on the Island of Montréal only, as well as shuttles created for the mitigation measure.

• The TRAMREM fare is available for eligible users who reside in the Zone 3 (recently renamed Zone B) catchment area. It allows users to access the entire metropolitan public transit network, which includes trains, buses, the métro and shuttles.

See the terms and conditions

As of November 2020:

• Users in Zone 3 (recently renamed Zone B) who are eligible for the fare measure and who already hold an MTLREM fare will automatically be eligible for a TRAMREM fare. They do not need to take any action to obtain a TRAMREM fare. A new OPUS card was mailed out around October 20, 2020, for the November pass.

• Users in Zone 3 who are eligible for the fare measure and who do not currently hold a fare may take advantage of a TRAMREM fare by subscribing to OPUS+ or OPUS+ entreprise. A new OPUS card will be mailed around the 20^th day of the month prior to it taking effect.

The route that bypasses the mountain connects Mascouche station with downtown Montréal during the construction work.

• There are two morning departures to downtown Montréal: at 6:17 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

• In the afternoon, two trains depart Central Station for Mascouche: at 4:13 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

In order to bypass Mount Royal, trains on the Line 15 - Mascouche line use a route that is normally reserved for freight trains. As a result, travel time may vary according to rail traffic.

Shuttle 500 was created to transport Line 15 - Mascouche train users to Radisson metro station on the green line.

See the shuttle 500 schedules

People with reduced mobility have several options to get downtown during the construction work:

• Two trains to downtown Montréal are universally accessible.

See the Line 15 - Mascouche train schedules

For other trains that run between Mascouche and Ahuntsic stations only:

• Toward Montréal, users may exit at Sauvé station and take the 31 Saint-Denis – South bus to the next accessible métro station: Rosemont.

• Toward Mascouche, users may exit at Henri-Bourassa métro station and go to the bus loop to take the 31 Saint-Denis – South bus to Sauvé métro station.

Yes, this closure requires a detour for the shuttles as well as the creation of new stops :

• The shuttles will now loop around the sector, via 20th Ave., Lake Blvd., 8th Ave., Oka Rd., 11th Ave. and Henri-Dunant St., as illustrated on the map below. The Saint-Agapit Church bus stop is no longer accessible. The route begins and ends at the Holy Family Church bus stop.

• Since the construction work started, two new stops have been made available: one at the intersection of 20th Ave. and Oka Rd., and another at the intersection of 8th Ave. and Lake Blvd. near the former Grand-Moulin station. These stops are to be used for boarding only for passengers travelling to the end of the route at Holy Family Church, and for disembarking only for passengers arriving from Deux-Montagnes station. For service to Deux-Montagnes station, please board at the Holy Family Church bus stop at the scheduled departure time.​

• You may use lines 92 or 93 (local service), which also serve Deux-Montagnes station, but which are also rerouted due to the REM construction work.

• For line 92, temporary stops have been created on the detour route: 11th Ave. / Henri-Dunant St., Henri-Dunant St. / 15th Ave. and Henri-Dunant St. / 20th Ave.

• Line T92 service remains accessible to customers upon reservation.

• Starting January 10, 2022, six (6) trips will be added to the 404 shuttle service on weekdays, during the afternoon peak period, from Deux-Montagnes to Grand-Moulin stations.

• Departures of the 404 from Mansfield terminal at 3:45 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. will continue to serve Grand-Moulin station, avoiding the need to make a transfer. The route and stops are the same as the 904.

Absolutely. This closure will require you to change your transit habits, but several options are available to you:

• Shuttle 404 connects Deux-Montagnes and Grand-Moulin stations with downtown Montréal.

• Shuttle 904 connects the Chemin d'oka and Deux-montagnes station on weekdays.

• Shuttle 498 connects the Sainte-Eustache bus terminal and Sainte-Dorothée train station with downtown Montréal.

• Shuttle 499 connects Deux-Montagnes train station with Côte-Vertu métro station.

Since january 4, 2021:

• Shuttle 496 connects Deux-Montagnes and Grand-Moulin train stations with Roxboro-Pierrefonds and Sunnybrooke train stations.

Shuttle 405 is currently suspended due to low passenger traffic.

It usually links Deux-Montagnes station with Sainte-Thérèse station, and allows users to take the Line 12 - Saint-Jérôme train to downtown Montréal.

Shuttles 404, 498 and 499 are only available for users who hold the following fares:

• All Modes ABC fares.

• MTLREM and TRAMREM passes allocated as part of the Deux-Montagnes REM fare mitigation measure.

• All Laurentides sector passes (French).

Shuttle 405 is free for all users.

The very essence of a mitigation measure is that it can be deployed rapidly. As such, extending the métro cannot be considered as a mitigation measure as it notably requires government studies and approval, which are part of a long-term project led by the ARTM.

The current Deux-Montagnes line is not fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. However, users may get downtown by using:

• The STL's 902 line to Côte-Vertu métro station, which is universally accessible.

• The STM’s 468 and 968 buses, which are equipped with a front ramp and provide service between Roxboro-Pierrefonds / Sunnybrooke train stations and Côte-Vertu métro station.

• Côte-Vertu station, which users can pass through to make their way downtown.

Several partners are involved with building the REM. Among the main players:

• The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is leading the project.

• CDPQ Infra, a Caisse subsidiary, is responsible for planning, financing, completing and operating the REM.

• A dedicated REM project office is in charge of managing project completion for the entire construction period.

See all of the main partners

The ARTM creates mitigation measures based on the work plans developed by the dedicated REM project office.

It is exo’s responsibility to apply these measures for its users.

A community relations office has been set up in the REM project office to establish a dialogue with citizens. Its main goals are to:

• Inform the public about the various stages of construction.

• Answer questions about issues raised.

• Follow up regularly with municipalities and citizens.

CDPQ Infra is in the process of completely transforming the Deux-Montagnes line with new technology: a fully automated, 100% electric light metro rapid transit network.

This work is particularly significant, and consists of:

• Changing the rail foundations and power supply.

• Building stations.

• Replacing all level crossings with overpasses.

The work sequence planned by CDPQ Infra to build the Deux-Montagnes branch of the REM includes two main phases:

1. Since May 2020: the closure of a first section of the Deux-Montagnes line between Central and Du Ruisseau stations (Mount Royal Tunnel closure).

2. As of December 31, 2020: the closure of a second section, from Du Ruisseau to Deux-Montagnes stations.

To see where construction is taking place and learn more about the types of work and their impacts, we invite you to visit the Works Info section of the REM website.

The REM will be commissioned in several phases: