Over a hundred public transit users and members of civil society mobilize at an “Ideas Forum”

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project office and the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) today mobilized over a hundred public transit users and members of civil society at a grand Ideas Forum for the users of the Deux-Montagnes and Mascouche lines.

The purpose of the Forum was to identify “complementary measures,” in addition to those developed by public transit organizations, that can be implemented to facilitate travel for citizens until the REM comes into service. The work of participants focused on three major themes:

• Mobility solutions to complement public transit and alternative mobility
• Lifestyle initiatives for the communities served (to help make up time in daily activities)
• Mechanisms to promote collaboration and communication with users

As well as affected users of the Deux-Montagnes and Mascouche lines, the Forum brought together major institutions, elected representatives, mobility experts, transit companies and organizations representing users.

The Forum launched a process of ongoing dialogue between actors able to contribute to mitigation solutions. Minor and major measures were identified and a call to action was issued at the end of the event, marking the start of this new, inclusive, concerted approach.  

The Forum was held at l’École des sciences de la créativité la Factry and hosted by Louis-Félix Binette.

Why a Forum on the Deux-Montagnes and Mascouche lines?

The REM will provide a new, high-frequency light rail service serving the North Shore, South Shore, downtown Montréal, the West Island and the airport. It will gradually replace the Deux-Montagnes line from 2022 and 2023.

Until then, the Central Station – Du Ruisseau segment of the Deux-Montagnes and Mascouche lines will be closed for a period of approximately 24 months starting in January 2020. The service interruption is necessary because of the extent of the work needed to convert the line into a high-frequency light rail service.

What about public transit solutions?

The ARTM, working with mobility partners in the region, will coordinate the financing and implementation of public transit solutions to the mobility challenges created by construction work on the REM, particularly for the clientele of the Deux-Montagnes and Mascouche commuter train lines.

Under the aegis of the ARTM, committees of partners have been meeting regularly since changes began to affect the corridor in the spring of this year, pooling their efforts and their expertise to identify the impacts of each phase of the REM construction work and to propose replacement public transit measures.

It should be noted that today’s Forum is a process aimed at complementing the initiatives of mobility partners. It brings in many civil society actors who, through their involvement, will be able to develop alternative mobility measures and thus be part of the solution, for the benefit of users.

About the REM

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is a new, 67-km integrated public transit network that will feature 26 stations and link downtown Montreal, universities, South Shore, West Island, North Shore and Montréal Trudeau airport through a fully automated electric light rail system. Offering high-frequency service, the REM will be in service seven days per week, 20 hours per day, and will be connected to three main Montréal metro lines.

About La Factry

Opening in May 2016, l'École des sciences de la créativité la Factry is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop the creative skills of professionals and the rising generation. Located in Montréal’s Quartier de l’innovation, this international-calibre campus is notable for its transdisciplinary approach, its innovative teaching method, and its connections with the creation industry and the world of business. La Factry is supported by two founding partners, Le Collège Sainte-Anne and l’Association des agences de communications créatives (A2C), and by public partners, La Ville de Montréal and Le Gouvernement du Québec.