Hundreds of eager Montrealers lined up at train stations across the region Saturday, eager to experience the newest branch of the REM light-rail network during its first weekend of public operation.
A Weekend of Free Exploration
The Deux-Montagnes branch welcomed the public for free rides on both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., following its official inauguration on Friday. This public open house has become tradition for each new REM branch opening, reminiscent of the July 2023 weekend that attracted approximately 120,000 riders when the system first launched.
The network has now expanded to 50 kilometres from its original 17 kilometres, effectively linking the North Shore to the South Shore and connecting to three of Montreal's four metro lines. The system will begin regular paid service starting Monday at 5:30 a.m.
Historic Moment for Montreal Transit
The inauguration ceremony on Friday featured prominent figures including Prime Minister Mark Carney, Quebec Premier François Legault, and Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, who took the inaugural trip from downtown McGill station to the new terminus in Deux-Montagnes.
For many residents, the expansion represents the most significant public transit development since the metro system debuted in 1966. Denis Poirier, 73, a Montreal North resident who witnessed both historic openings, expressed his excitement: "Today is as exciting as when they opened the métro. It's new; it's clean; it's beautiful. They did a good job."
Transforming Commutes and Communities
The new connection is already promising significant time savings for regular commuters. Ewan Docherty, 27, a Brossard resident who takes the REM to Japanese-language classes at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, estimates the new link will save him 45 minutes to an hour on his weekly journeys.
Boris Crépeau, 55, an Ahuntsic resident who boarded at Montpellier station, described the experience with childlike wonder: "I feel like I'm a small boy who just got a toy electric train for Christmas."
The expansion brings particular benefits for seniors, as those aged 65 and older can travel for free on the island. Poirier highlighted how the upcoming Blue Line extension to Galeries d'Anjou will further transform accessibility for residents in the east end.
The REM network continues to grow, with four West Island stations scheduled to open next spring and the final two stations toward the airport expected in 2027, marking an ongoing transformation of Greater Montreal's transportation landscape.
