Integrated transport network proposed for Montréal

DPQ Infra, a subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, has unveiled for its Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM), an integrated public transportation project. Under the proposal, the REM will link downtown Montréal, the South Shore, the West Island (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue), the North Shore (Deux-Montagnes) and the airport in a unified, fully automated, 67km light rail transit (LRT) system comprising 24 stations and operating 20 hours a day, 7 days a week. The solution proposed by CDPQ Infra wi
April 25, 2016 Read time: 2 mins

CDPQ Infra, a subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, has unveiled for its Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM), an integrated public transportation project.

Under the proposal, the REM will link downtown Montréal, the South Shore, the West Island (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue), the North Shore (Deux-Montagnes) and the airport in a unified, fully automated, 67km light rail transit (LRT) system comprising 24 stations and operating 20 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The solution proposed by CDPQ Infra will constitute Québec’s first public-public partnership project, build a new network of strategic importance for the Greater Montréal area and Québec, while fostering environmentally sustainable transportation.

As a single, integrated transportation network, the REM will offer a number of efficient travel options in the Greater Montréal area. Connections between the new network and existing bus, metro and train systems have also been designed to simplify itineraries.

New stations will be integrated into their urban environment and designed to allow easy access for pedestrians, bicycles, cars and buses. All stations will be covered, climate-controlled, equipped with elevators, and will meet the principles of universal access.
In addition, by choosing the Highway 40 route to the West Island, the project allows for the creation of a dedicated corridor for public transportation, without the need to share tracks with freight trains.

The new network represents an investment of approximately US$4.3 billion. La Caisse is willing to commit US$2.4 billion to the project. The proposed financial structure also requires investments by the governments of Québec and Canada; the decision to move forward with the project is conditional upon this investment.

“Today we are proposing an innovative public transit solution that will improve the quality of life in Montréal and deliver important economic, social and environmental benefits. It will improve the metropolitan region’s overall competitiveness,” said Michael Sabia, president and chief executive officer of la Caisse. “The new transit system will also deliver long-term, stable investment returns very well aligned with the needs of our depositors, the people of Québec.”

Related Content

  • July 5, 2021
    LA Airport Metro Connector breaks ground
    Project includes electric bus charging stations and is scheduled for 2024 completion
    Read More
  • April 10, 2012
    Why integrated traffic management needs a cohesive approach
    Traffic control is increasingly being viewed as one essential element of a wider ‘system of systems’ – the smart city. Jason Barnes, Jon Masters and David Crawford report on latest ideas and efforts for making cities ‘smarter’ Virtually every element of the fabric and utilitarian operations that make urban areas tick can now be found somewhere in the mix that is the ‘smart city’ agenda. Ideas have expanded and projects pursued in different directions as the rhetoric on making cities ‘smarter’ has grown. App
    Read More
  • March 17, 2016
    New hybrid public transit buses coming to Quebec City
    With funding from Infrastructure Canada and the Government of Quebec, Canada, Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) in Quebec City, Canada, is to purchase up to 32 new hybrid midi-buses from Belgian company Van Hool. The A330 hybrid diesel-electric vehicles are nine metres long and equipped with low-floor entrances and manual ramps. The midi buses will be equipped with a hybrid propulsion technology whose operating principle is similar to the hybrid bus used by the RTC since July 2015. RTC believes th
    Read More
  • August 26, 2022
    ITF diagnoses South Asia’s breathing difficulties
    One of the world’s fastest-growing regions faces major transport sector decisions if it is to avoid spiralling emissions problems in coming decades. Alan Dron takes a look at a new report on Asia from the International Transport Forum
    Read More

Highlighted Content