Image Credit - REM
Starting this Friday at 11 p.m., REM service between Montreal and the South Shore will be suspended due to scheduled maintenance work. It means the Réseau Express métropolitain (REM) light rail line is going to be out of service between Gare Centrale and Panama stations on the South Shore until Monday morning.
Why will the REM service stop?
The explanation given by the REM on social media said teams found during a routine inspection that a repair needs to be done before colder weather arrives. While waiting for the work to be done, the REM has lowered the speed of the trains in that sector starting the night of November 22-23. This is a preventive measure to make sure that the repairs can be made quickly.
According to Francis Labbé, REM spokesperson, the repair consists of a concrete part of the railway structure near Île-des-Sœurs but does not touch the load-bearing parts. As he claimed, there is no safety concern, but one way or another, the repair is necessary to prevent complications over frost and freezing temperatures within weeks.
REM Sections to be Affected
Service interruption: There will be no REM service between Gare Centrale in Montreal and the Panama station on the South Shore starting Friday at 11 p.m. and lasting until Monday morning.
Service maintained on South Shore: REM service is still going to be available between the stations of Brossard and Panama on the South Shore. However, commuters taking this route from Montreal to the South Shore may need to consider other means of getting to their destination this weekend.
What to do?
Anyone who was thinking of crossing from Montreal to the South Shore this weekend will have to make other arrangements to get there. The REM didn’t release the exact details on replacement buses or any other alternatives, recommending that passengers consult official communications on the REM website or social media pages.
More News from REM
REM wants to reassure passengers that work is ongoing to complete the necessary repairs before the arrival of frost periods occurring more frequently. Over the weekend, the repair work will be executed, and on Monday morning, the light rail line will again be fully operational.
For the most current information on the services of REM and any service disruption, passengers are expected to monitor REM’s official communications through their website and social media accounts.
By ensuring timely repair and preventative measures, REM is prioritizing the safety and reliability of the light rail line for the winter season. Stay informed and plan to avoid any disruptions to your weekend travel.
