The REM is Coming And It's A Game Changer for Montreal

[@PaigeMTL]

If you’re reading this in a decade the Train Guys, NIMBYs and cynical boomers in this comments section are why we only got part of the REM. Our Mayor had a choice between leadership and politics, and went with politics.

[@toastsandwich2862]

Too bad the decision was made before the mayoral election. Cancelling it seemed really uncharacteristic of Valérie Plante. If the decision was postponed, I'm sure she would have chosen leadership instead.

[@kenmills4739]

@Paige Saunders That's everywhere when it comes to changes-especially in public transportation.

[@Allofrancois]

FYI, one day, you'll have to stop blaming Boomers for everything. As of today, boomers are pushing 75 years of age, many are already dead. The very youngest of boomers are already retired, and half of hose will probably dead in 10-15 years. The golden age of Boomers is behind us. Except for populating retirement homes, they do not control or influence much of our current society.

[@asdkotable]

Sorry, a little bit out of the loop, what's up with the Train Guys?

[@ryanprosper88]

I think they just need to finish the REM first before people see how awesome it is and will want it for the rest of the city. Being from Ontario, I can only dream of this...

[@Matte724]

Montreal's Métro alone amazes me with it's clean efficient network and to see this expansion is one of the most ambitious and exciting projects. I can't wait to experience the REM!

[@Laughandsong]

I am not a fan of Montréal's metro, having lived there for the first 27 years of my life. I much prefer the Toronto subway system and its functionality. However, the REM will be amazing because it will significantly reduce the need for a car out of the core.

[@Matte724]

@@Laughandsong I'm curious to know the cons to Montreal's Métro (as someone who has only traveled to Montreal but in the process of getting ready to move there).

[@Crackrzz]

@@Laughandsong Indeed, I'm also curious about the negative aspects.

[@juliusvinh109]

@@Laughandsong It's opposite from your experience from my 30 years of living in MTL, I can't imagine my life without the MTL Metro since I never drive a car in my life , from work to pleasure I have been using the Metro daily and it's fine, and the monthly fee is not even 100 CND compares to Toronto it's well over 100 CND years ago , different people with different perspective Heh ?

[@carlosdaroza]

@@Matte724 If you can, move within walking distance of a metro (or a REM) station. I did that 35 years ago and have not regretted it since. No more waiting for bus on the bitterest of winter mornings when it will inevitably be late and full. (To be fair, the bus experience is much improved now that you can see where the buses on your cell phone.) I almost never take a car into town now because it just isn't worth the effort.

[@dgh6g33gf]

Merci a tous les travailleurs qui on construit ou aider a construire ce projet!

[@APJTA]

I'm really excited for the REM. As it stands, the current project really just has two issues: The first, and biggest, is a lack of a metro connection at Bois-Franc. If a few more km of metro tunnel had been built from Côte-Vertu to Bois-Franc, that would have massively increased day-one connectivity between the REM and metro. The west end of the orange line runs along Décarie, which is a major employment corridor. The Caisse should have collaborated better with the STM and ARTM to complete the loop. The STM was building a major metro garage at Côte-Vertu concurrent with REM construction, which meant the earth had already been opened up. To the STM's credit, they did tunnel north, which will reduce capital costs in the future, but there could have been major savings. It would have been worth putting another half billion to a billion into the project just to complete that transfer. The second issue is the fact that the airport is a terminus. Dorval train station, which is used by Via rail, is 700 m away from the airport station. A little more construction would have created a Via rail link in the West End, and would also have given the residents of the City of Dorval direct REM access. It really is a shame that the REM de l'Est was killed by NIMBYs. I hate crossing René-Lévesque on foot. It's a miserable experience and a pedestrian concourse could have really been special, especially with a high line style park.

[@DiscoverMontréal]

Completely agree, hopefully we can get an extension to Bois-Franc under construction in the next few years but it's the Government of Quebec and the ARTM that need to take care of that, not CDPQ and with the blue line extension taking 40+ years to finally get the green light, I'm not holding my breath. An extension to the Dorval circle is also crucial, maybe one day. I've decided to see the bright side and stay optimistic about what we are getting haha

[@APJTA]

@@DiscoverMontréal it's on the ARTM but the CDPQ had enough clout at the time that they could, and should, have pushed for it. It could have gotten done, especially given the garage project.

[@MrSridippanda]

Clearly u guys haven't travelled outside USA or Canada

[@APJTA]

@@MrSridippanda weird comment. I've been to Europe and Asia, so you're wrong.

[@WhiskyCanuck]

As someone who lived a long time in that area, it would have been really cool if the REM connected to Dorval, and I personally had been wanting to see the Green line extend into & through LaSalle, Lachine, and also connect at Dorval to close the loop & make that a real hub. But given the cost of extending the Metro (see Blue line extension), that would be really expensive. Perhaps instead have the REM continuing along that path & connect to the Green line at Angrignon? That would give about 120K people local access to a metro & faster access to downtown, as well as open them up to the west island.

[@Mark_72]

This project is very ambitious, Montreal is truly great at incorporating modern transit systems.

[@engrpas]

I'm really impressed! I grew up in Montreal, and was riding the Metro on the afternoon when it opened in October of 1966. I have frequently ridden the Deux-Montagnes line under the tunnel in the 1960's, and I'm glad the rail system is being upgraded. Some of the plans resemble the RER lines in Paris, but this will be better!

[@joannetait7985]

As a native Montrealer living in Ottawa, this made me tear up a bit.

[@Crackrzz]

Almost all this channel's videos do this to me. My husband and I love it there, we go every year. If we become seniors, we hope to retire there. ❤️

[@DiscoverMontréal]

@@Crackrzz Awww that makes it all worthwhile

[@vangary100]

I moved to Vancouver and anything Montreal makes me homesick.

[@leecox6241]

Our LRT is an embarrassment. 😢

[@MegaArchivist]

This is the most exciting thing to happen in Montreal since Expo 67! That is saying a lot.

[@gwarlow]

Since many of the original metro train cars (still used today along with the new ones) are from that era this exciting change took a long time to implement. Better late than never…

[@haweater1555]

What about the Olympics in 1976?

[@imogen2092]

I haven’t lived in Montréal since the late 90’s. I haven’t visited in the last 12 years. I’m impressed. I remember when the orange line only went as far as Place St-Henri (1982). I’ve been in many cities that have rapid transit (Toronto, DC, NYC, London, Atlanta, Philadelphia.) I’ve always felt that Montréal’s was the best, despite a limited network. It might be time to visit.

[@TechOttawa]

Life long Montrealer train nerd here - GREAT video - Thanks for this loving deep dive look at our amazing system from every angle - past, present future, well done! The sytem is special for so many reasons - smooth riding rubber wheels were mentioned but another fun fact - in the OG sections of the Metro the train cars use wooden brake shoes that have a lovely linseed and oak odour. Smooth braking and good life + low VOC = cool trick The new South Shore segment is breathtaking in person! #excited

[@BeaverOwl]

Excellent comprehensive video. Now whenever anyone asks me about REM I’ll just send this video. Thank you

[@FalconsEye58094]

This is really exciting to see, I love transit and seeing new stuff get built especially here in the Americas where its rare to see people using their heads to the great opportunities like it looks like they did here. The Montreal Metro is already the nicest looking in the world I say and this will only enhance its performance

[@DiscoverMontréal]

It’s so very exciting! To have something so modern and extensive to compliment the already-existing Metro network, game changer is probably an understatement!

[@patof72clune51]

@@DiscoverMontréal You need to delete the offensive use of God's glorious name at the 25:25 mark. To have such disgusting language shows the degree of immaturity the narrator has & yourselves for allowing that I this video. Also there are no nimbys in heaven as there is total catholic accord & peacefull unanimity with God in heaven. Your narrators & people who made the video need to be respectfull of God & heaven & learn truth.

[@RyantheCanuckpirate]

@@patof72clune51 I think God's big enough to mind the occasional use of his name

[@patof72clune51]

@@RyantheCanuckpirate Not if your an ignorant fool who uses it as a swear word .....you have to be really stoop I'd to do that or think it's OK.

[@TheTransitmtl]

@@patof72clune51 Why is god so susceptible. You would think an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent being would have abandoned it's ego

[@AmirHamedZakeri]

REM and REV together can solve Montreal transit problem. I just hope they add secure bike parking infrastructure at the REM stations.

[@gwarlow]

Let’s see if they do?

[@DrewMtl]

Oh you know they love building bike infrastructure theses days! It's very much in political fashion to do so. P.S. full time cyclist here.

[@jonathanlanglois2742]

The next thing that I think Montreal needs to take a good strong look at is running EXO trains at least once an hour in both directions. Most of the existing service is peak hours toward the city center the morning and toward the suburbs during the afternoon. If you need to get somewhere outside of those hours, you need to use your car or get onto a bus.

[@TalwinderDhillonTravels]

Visited Portugal recently and they had EXO style trains running minimum once an hour or even every 30 minutes during rush hour. Really hope they do it here. Ontario is doing it with its GO trains

[@DiscoverMontréal]

Unfortunately from what I understand most EXO trains run on CN/CP rail lines and only get a small window every day to run their trains. We would have to buy the lines (I doubt the companies would sell) or build our own in areas where there isn’t enough room. 😭

[@pierregravel-primeau702]

Exo will be phase out if the REM work... So you are right, they will rebuild EXO in 10 years!

[@pierregravel-primeau702]

@@DiscoverMontréal AMtrak, Via rail and dozens of transporters run on CN/CP line without any problems... It's a fake argument.

[@TalwinderDhillonTravels]

@@pierregravel-primeau702 yea one of the exo lines is already phased out by REM to Deux Montagnes. and something similar is being planned for east montreal and beyond to legault's exo 5 zone voters in terrebone, repintigny and mascouche

[@MartinRicherProduction]

Wow that's a really great editing, very interesting !!! I'm flattered that you took my footage, thanks for sharing the link of my editing. 😀

[@DiscoverMontréal]

Your video is AMAZING Martin! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@etbadaboum]

First time I watch a medley of YT videos! Pretty cool and well done.

[@DiscoverMontréal]

Thanks!

[@bekentech]

Montreal is one of my favourite cities to visit. Coming from Vancouver, it's hard to imagine getting around without Skytrain/Canada Line systems in place. What's not to like about a system that is fully scalable to the volume of traffic as required. Most new housing development happens around the stations. A two hour drive into town turned into a 20 minute train ride. Montreal will be quite pleased with the system once it is all up and running. I look forward to the day where I can visit other areas of Montreal, further out than where the Metro system currently serves.

[@vangary100]

I'm in Vancouver now but originally from Montreal. The transit system in Montreal is much better.

[@bekentech]

@@vangary100 I fully agree. I think Montreal's transit system is amongst the best in all the cities around the world that I've ever travelled to.

[@noelgenoway9360]

@@vangary100 Montreal gets allot more federal funding for the metro per capita than Vancouver or Toronto!!!

[@barb_ec4436]

@@noelgenoway9360 . Sorry wrong. The transportation funding Provinces receive from Federal Government is conditional on provincial and territorial governments committing to match the federal contribution... which trickles down to the Municipal level. Federal funding will match ONLY what Provinces/Territories are willing to put into the "pot".

[@solotrippin09]

the skytrain in vancouver is a joke

[@TRLPod]

Love the production quality and happy to be lend some of Connor's audio bits and Alex's agape face! This must have taken ages to edit.

[@sebsun]

Another wonderful video! Thank you!

[@DiscoverMontréal]

Thank you! 🥰

[@DamienAshorTV]

Vive Montréal, Québec, Canada. Le Québec est ma province préférée. Bonjour du sud de l'Ontario.

[@anthonywatts2033]

Looking at the NIMBYs particularly those on the freight line option, you really have to be amazed at the short-sighted selfishness of some people.

[@tramenari]

I don't even live there but those nimby's piss me off so much.

[@Duh6666666]

As a teen, we used to walk that tunnel from TMR to Central Station, hiding from the trains and security, what a thrill.

[@pauldarthurs]

Superb informative video. Thanks for the detailed explanations.

[@RailFansCanada]

We are really looking forward to the opening of the REM next year and this video really hypes us up! Lots of great perspectives and viewpoints on this amazing new transit system. Well done!

[@weatheranddarkness]

today's the day!

[@RobA-YT]

That was excellent Chris, thanks for putting it together. I can't wait to go back and ride it next year.

[@julienbaril7921]

Very excited about the REM, So sad about the NYMBYs tho... RIP REM de l'est

[@DiscoverMontréal]

The project is now in the hands of the ARTM, hopefully they come up with a solid second version that can begin when REM-A completes. If not, the whole thing may be handed back to CDPQ; the east of Montreal desperately needs this.

[@sierralvx]

@@DiscoverMontréal Yes it sorely does! I really hope once the Rem in the west is finished and the reviews are in that the east will clamour to have their end built!

[@lepoulet88]

Blaming NIMBYs is the easy way to avoid talking about all the issues about the project's management. People are inherently cautious of massive new infrastructure, and it was CDPQ's job to make sure the citizens were involved through the course of the project and that what was put on the table would be understood as a gain, not a loss. They failed to do that, and unsurprisingly so, since they act as a private investor with not a shred of interest for providing good service for transit users. For-profit industries should never manage public transit, and the REM de l'est debacle is the proof of that. Despite all its flaws, ARTM should have been in charge of the project from the start, if only since it's a public agency.

[@ianhomerpura8937]

@@lepoulet88 what are the things that should be cautious about in terms of new infrastructure? Also, NIMBYs, most of the time, only criticize transit projects like these, so I am just puzzled as to why.

[@leovidal4571]

Très content de voir l'évolution technologique et écologique de ma province VIVE LE QUÉBEC !!

[@DamienAshorTV]

Vive Montréal, Canada. Le Québec est ma province préférée.

[@leovidal4571]

@@DamienAshorTV pareil ! Québec on TOP

[@pambellefleur7588]

Thank you so much for the full presentation! I miss life in Montreal and the amazing transit.

[@mone5667]

CONGRATULATIONS on the work that has been done so far. I hope I will live to be able to take the REM from the Airport to the South Shore.

[@blackpanda7298]

I am from Toronto always go to Montreal in the summertime before the pandemic. I cannot wait to ride REM.

[@DanTheCaptain]

Having lived in Montreal for 2 months I got a taste of the amazing Metro system. Coming from Toronto I can confidently say it blows the Toronto Subway out of the water. By far! The REM project is truly revolutionary and I can’t wait to see it in the future!

[@arlencarlson]

Don’t even let us Ottawa-dwellers get started on lamenting the LRT disaster here.

[@DanTheCaptain]

@@arlencarlson I rode it once, and it is a nice little system… when it works. But they totally screwed up choosing the mode. It honestly should’ve been a light metro like Vancouver’s SkyTrain. That would suite the needs of the city perfectly, but no, they went low floor and now they’re stuck with it

[@trainglen22]

Yeah, Toronto is getting the Ontario line with trains built by Hitachi.

[@jpx9190]

You should compare the Montreal and Toronto Subway with Europe.

[@DanTheCaptain]

@@jpx9190 Montreal stacks up and can compete with smaller European metro systems. Toronto on the other hand cannot. But it has potential.

[@rhondabaron8907]

I live 5 minutes from the Bois Franc station & can’t wait for quick access to all points in Montreal. Especially the airport. Been on Vancouver’s skytrain multiple times & it was great.

[@KarlPlesz]

I love this video! I used to live in Montreal and was a frequent user of the old train line from Deux Montagnes in the 70s. There's a lot of history missing from this story on the painful neglect and outrageous cost to users the Deux Montagnes line suffered while it was in the hands of both CN and the STCUM in the 80s, 90s and beyond. But the story about this system's proposal, funding and benefits was outstanding. Even though I don't live there anymore, my family still live in Deux Montagnes and I look forward to being able to ride the REM from the airport to DM and from DM to downtown Montreal and especially back to DM without having to worry about catching the last train and waiting a long time just to board one. They promise a lot, and here's hoping they come through. It will be something Montreal can be proud of for sure.

[@mathiasvernet1372]

Wow such I great video 😊

[@marianam8643]

The copenhagen metro is very much like this. It is amazing. All electric, above ground. Looking forward to riding this. Proud to live in Montreal.

[@wigglz]

This was well done. Great job!

[@m15km]

Epic video, as a Montrealer I'm incredibly stoked about the REM.

[@Phyngrs]

I live on the corner of Rene-Leveque & Cartier, this is the first I've heard of the expansion canceled into the East and I have to say my first reaction was "Hell NO, that things going to be in my backyard," LOL (thankyou George) . I said to my self "I go to bed at 6AM for work this is going to be a nightmare wile it under construction. then once the line is finished, A train is going by every 2:30s OMFG." Then I heard it was Canceled and was very relived, and also a little disappointed. Being English, having a connection to my home town on the West-end would have been nice. the years growing up, my group of friends frequently mentioned how nice a metro line to downtown would be amazing. and now its finally here. looking forward to the Opportunity to make use of it ASAP.

[@Bangladeshicanadianmom78]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful video 👍👍

[@Roger72075]

Absolutely amazing video ❤❤❤

[@ryanprosper88]

Living in Ontario, if we had anything like this, it's only in my wetdreams lol

[@jeanbolduc5818]

Well done video .. Merci

[@venumV2]

good job Quebec! Now if only we could have this in Ontario

[@benvad9010]

What frustrates me about the NIMBYs is that they won’t be here to use the system, so why are they insisting on destroying a very good viable system 🙄

[@DiscoverMontréal]

Some people despise change, others embrace it. It's how it will always be.

[@StefanBracher]

Was using the DM train daily... will use the REM daily. Why did CDPQ insist on destroying the existing electric train (after having promised to not interrupt service) to replace it with something with less 7-8 am peak capacity instead of improving the existing train (or chose a technology that is compatible with what was in place like for the REM in Mulhouse or the Ceva in Geneva)?

[@edwardmiessner6502]

They're always afraid something new will destroy their property values when in reality it will only increase them (unless it's a highway---time and again highways have been shown to ruin neighborhoods).

[@StefanBracher]

@@edwardmiessner6502 in this case, the 15'000 users of the existing electric train were - rightfully so - worried about a multi-year shutdown without reserved bus lanes for the bus replacement. A shutdown that was initially promised to not take place (so no bus lanes built and nothing for replacement service budgeted), but then as predicted "surprisingly" took place. - no one even said "sorry", everyone just expects you to "just drive like normal people"

[@xorbitman]

They took apart the existing train system in 2020 and the new REM won't be completed until 2024 and most of us doubt it will be ready even by then. For people in the West Island we used to take the train downtown and it took about 1/2 hour. Now the combined bus and metro require almost 2 hours to get downtown and this is only one way! I'm curious to see how this new transit system is going to work in our very harsh winters especially when it snows. Most of us are very upset about the fact that the new REM doesn't reach the Fairview Shopping Mall. Instead it stops almost 1 km away and will require a long walk during the cold winter months Instead of an underground pedestrian connection. And you need two connections to reach the airport and it doesn't reach the existing rail station in Dorval. It doesn't connect to Vaudreuil off island which is a large and fast growing community. Most of the people living in Vaudreuil consists of people unhappy with the costs of living on the island of Montreal especially housing costs and property taxes. Not good. Since the dismantling of the 2 mountains line in Pierrefonds/Roxboro in Roxboro and In Sunnybrooke the property values have actually decreased yet the City of Montreal has increased the property taxes substantially. This has been a total failure and nightmare for commuters in the West Island so far. Let them prove otherwise.

[@personligassistent4308]

Great video :)

[@teddynielsen]

A light metro with catenary would work really well on the proposed “Interborough Express” in New York.

[@martincruz8319]

Being from the Big 🍎, I totally concur with you, Teddy Nielsen. The Second Avenue subway is expensive as [heck] a light metro like Montréal's REM would be incredibly "trés bien" in Nueva York.

[@jscullyandmulderx25]

This is absolutely beautiful and in better shape and cleaner then so called New York. Never been to New York. Jealous of course. Even better then other cities up in Canada. Just a dream in America though Portland Oregon kinda has Simi good public system. Not where I live though. Wow if I was smarter and younger and had family in The province and flute in Frech and French-Canadian language. I would be there. This is just a fantasy were I live in America. I hope you really appreciate what your city of Montreal is doing.

[@thequakevids6827]

I love the fibre optic internet example-that’s exactly what happened in my home town! (Only 8x the speed, 1/3 the cost, and free routers) okay rant over :)

[@canxplorer]

Nice, thanks for sharing!

[@DrewMtl]

Hey thanks for that! I live in Montreal and I have heard so much talk about the politics of the construction, but not much about what it is, where is it going, how it is going to work. Because of it's Island large work, three major different cities, Montreal, Laval, and many on the "South Shore". I've never seen a complete picture of the plan as you showed here. The east end part goes through, and I mean through, many poor neighbourhoods that have been screwed over for ever by politicians and infrastructure plans. Land lords, property owners etc, were not consulted and informed. Though the government says they were extremely well informed and consulted. The renders are pretty, but the reality will be some what different as for sunlight and graffiti all over those cement pillars holding the REM up. There are existing freight train lines running east, but that land is owned by the train corporations. So take from people was easier than take from a corporation. Build the REM over the existing freight train lines. Also Just back from Bangkok who has a massive overhead train system running down through their main city centre. Do we want Montreal to look like that? One small line today two expansions tomorrow etc. The city has a history of grand projects that just went so wrong, so public skepticism is real. The 76 Montreal Olympics is still fresh in many of our memories. The island is under construction for ever it seems.

[@dasemicolon627]

look to the vancouver skytrain for how it will look instead of older-style systems

[@tidianediallo2921]

thank you for this video

[@annec4956]

"Montréal has the greatest metro system in North America, and beautiful, unique architecture for each station, excellent service..." Meanwhile at Guy Concordia: *Man p00ps on platform*

[@yodorob]

My own Montreal neighbourhood of Cote St. Luc is surrounded by freight rail lines, including one that doubles as an EXO commuter line, but the latter just goes through it without there being an actual stop. The irony of Cote St. Luc is that it has all these rail lines and yet the bus is the only form of public transit - the nearest Metro station being Plamondon some 2+ kilometres away.

[@alecgirling6120]

Are you talking about the saint-Jerome line ? Do you think a station near cote saint Luc would make people want to take it instead of the metro ?

[@yodorob]

@@alecgirling6120 Even if the answer to the second question is no, it would increase the options that Cote St. Luc residents like myself would have re public transit.

[@weatheranddarkness]

or you could take the 162 to Villa Maria once every half hour haha. Truly a disaster of urban planning is CSL. I know, I've lived it!

[@weatheranddarkness]

@@alecgirling6120 instead of the metro? It takes at minimum 20minutes by bus to get to the metro in cote st luc. "Instead" is the wrong word. Having grown up in NDG and CDN, visiting Cote St Luc is like being out in the real suburbs for how disconnected it is. People have been talking for decades about a link from Cavendish to the rest of Cavendish (a distance of 750m, that will cost you an hour and 8km to traverse, 15mins by car if there is ZERO traffic), and it seems like nothing will ever happen, CSL residents will forever be funnelled through the tiniest amount of transit possible or be stuck in their cars.

[@ecogeilsnw]

I studied and wrote a report for my degree on the REM’s legal and financing structures. I found that although the financing model is innovative, it’s inaccurate to paint it as a private-public partnership and a traditional investment. The Québec government foots something around 80% of the ARTM’s bills. The CDQP is only profitable because it receives a return relative to ridership guaranteed by contract, not because the line itself is profitable. Most public transit projects in the world are unprofitable because most of their benefits are externalities that aren’t priced. This financing structure is really innovative because it tries to capture these externalities when it gets government actors to fund the project. For instance, the City contributed to the project as a financial investment because its income from taxes would increase as a result of increased real-estate prices near stations and charges on new developers (although the financing does have flaws). I loved to study this project because from head to toe it is incredibly innovative, interesting, transparent and important.

[@gobear83]

Having been a Montrealer till the eighties and now living west of Ottawa , we have laughable rail system in Ottawa.Its always broken and even leaves the tracks on occasion . Montreal has always had the most amazing transit system since I first rode it to Expo 67 at 14 years old..

[@ryanprosper88]

Some of the bus drivers have made some fatally bone headed decisions over the years too

[@rogergendron664]

❤very interesting looking the article about the construction of your metro I’m proud of you Quebecoi I’ve been to your city many times always love it last Schwartz the best smoke meat a la prochaine rencontre ❤😊

[@steevoridgeline]

cannot wait to use it from Deux Montages 👍🏻☀

[@xristosairetikos7523]

I live in the west island and am really looking forward to getting downtown in a reasonable amount of time. Right now, it takes me about 1h45 mins to 2 hours depending on bus/metro timing.

[@DiscoverMontréal]

It’s going to change your life!

[@symphantic4552]

Montréal gets so many things right. It's the only city in Canada I could ever dream of living long-term. I lived there for 10 years and loved it to death. At the moment, I'm living overseas, but mtl is absolutely my Plan B.

[@AllRequired]

You've not seen our rotting roadwork, have you?

[@symphantic4552]

@@AllRequired I dislocated my shoulder a second time thanks to those hellish roads. I never said mtl gets EVERYTHING right... being complicit in the corruption that resulted in the shitty road construction is one of the things that they keep getting wrong.

[@AllRequired]

@@symphantic4552 And it's not like people haven't been fighting to be heard. But when your mayor is a Forum plant and tree-hugging hippie idiot, your job gets a whole lot tougher. At least I hardly ever see any violence in the Metro. One thing the Grand Prix tourists should take note of.

[@symphantic4552]

​@@AllRequired Keep in mind that the road systems are old enough to have lasted many many liberal and conservative mayors, so blaming any mayor (current or otherwise) misses the point. I would worry less about who the mayor is, and start focussing on the corrupt underbelly of the MTL construction industry. The orange pylon is synonymous with MTL summers... it needn't be that way. Fix the system THEN fix the roads... otherwise it all goes according to plan.

[@jessiegarcia3793]

Great video... Now i am really excited!

[@HighHolyOne]

I visited beautiful Montréal on two occasions, and have told so many people about the amazing Métro. First time there was 1975, and I arrived on Amtrak. Got into a taxi bound for Place Bonaventure. The driver took me from one side of the station to the other side of the station, and charged me $2 for which we both had a good laugh. My grandfather was born in Montréal in the 1800s, and I fell in love with it again in the 1900s. Now you are paving the way for the 21st century and beyond!

[@strangehobbyist]

I’d love to try this out!😊

[@PeaceToAll-sl1db]

world needs more light rail and subway

[@Juuuudyyyy]

I'm really impressed that it's progressing quickly. Knowing all the corruption in the city

[@repulsewarriorx8825]

...propaganda i thought; but wow, very impressive presentation, fact filled and interesting. (you got me excited) cheers!

[@DiscoverMontréal]

So glad!

[@junnavarro3053]

IDKY im so excited to see this episode haha

[@DiscoverMontréal]

I'm glad! Hope you enjoy it!

[@RipCityBassWorks]

Please export this model to the US lol. Automated metro systems springing up around the US would be incredible.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

They could automate and extend Miami's Metrorail as a demo project, then remodel Boston's T system to show it can be done on existing transit systems as well.

[@etbadaboum]

I didn't know about the REM Sud ! Great to know after NIMBYs digging the grave of REM de l'Est.

[@AllRequired]

And the daughter of the Metro voice got the nod as the REM voice. Expect her own daughter to be the voice of the next rail transit project.

[@disneyplay4]

This video makes me wanna move to Montreal

[@abcdeshole]

If you have to or want to live in Canada and you badly want a walker’s lifestyle, then yeah Montreal is for you.

[@Game_Hero]

Soit le bienvenue, apprend notre langue, notre culture et tu fais partie de la famille!

[@Game_Hero]

@@abcdeshole In Québec, very different.

[@michaeldolan7509]

This is a fabulously well done video of Montreal’s REM, Bravo from a Montrealer

[@dt-gp2vg]

ça change la perspective lol. vivant ici, on bash pas mal le metro.. mais le monde d'ailleurs trouvent ca bien.... tant mieux alors

[@markjob6354]

Since Jean Drapeau's EXPO 1967 AD, Montreal has needed a high speed, frequently scheduled public transit from the Quebec/Ontario Provincial Border in the West, to an Ottawa to Montreal line coming down through Hudson/Como Quebec along the Ottawa River. There's been train tracks in both places since 1900 AD, so there's a corridor already extant. Montreal should become a Nexus for rapid public transit from New York City in the South and to Halifax in the Eastern Provinces -Even Maine, USA. If you want to get around Central and Eastern North America, then this is the best plan to do it.

[@mirkopg69]

In my native town in Italy (Perugia) we have same "mini-metro" concept but only 1 car but fully automated 👍

[@juanmontull8550]

I love that Spain was named, we achived one of the lowest railway building costs in the whole world, best example is HSR, the the cost of 1 Km of HSR is 25 Million Euros (C$37 Million Aprox.), that's your goal Canada! Comparisons aside, it's a spectacular project and I hope it'll be a resounding success.👌

[@DiscoverMontréal]

We had Spanish experts help us with the tunnel boring machine toward the airport! We’re all very excited about this project!

[@derekdurst9984]

Sounds Great!!! Please come to the San Francisco Bay Area!!! Please!

[@einherjarspb]

It's just amazing! The project itself, it's quality an the speed of implementation makes me envy! Here, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, city transport system is in limbo, stuck in a long period of stagnation, they couldn't even make a stable and reliable off-street transit system to the airport in more than some decades.

[@christobin8108]

I'm glad they are building a rail connection to the airport. I hate the bus

[@darkman007e]

I live in the South Shore of Montreal and I've always been very excited about the REM. As with any projects, it's far from being perfect. Since the very beginning, CDPQ has been given "Carte Blanche" and that has created some controversy in how the REM infrastructure have been built. The REM has been built in a way to be practical then good looking. Obviously, riding the bus or my car on the Champlain Bridge, I can tell you that they could have find a better design for the overhead power cable. Another controversy that hasn't made enough noise in my opinion in the media are the new ARTM tarif partially caused by the REM. If you leave in MTL and ride the REM or even the EXO train, the prices are very cheap even if you come from as far as Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue while people that live on the South Shore and Laval initially faced a tarif increase of almost 50% (for those that took only the Laval or Longueuil metro without taking the RTL/SLT buses). The ARTM backdown a bit but the new prices are still too expensive (35% increase for my case with 10 tickets). In terms of other weird/bad choices, CDPQ made a really weird choice of building all the trains in India. They also built a station in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue for a city with Baie d'Urfé that has less then 12 000 peoples that lives there. They could should have stopped at Kirland and build an additional station in Kirland or in Pointe-Claire. Dorval also asked CDPQ to extend the REM by another 700 meter to reach the Dorval Exo/Via rail station. I can understand, they didn't want to do that because of the high cost but there's no point stopping the line in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. I also hope that they know what they are doing for the Airport as they only built 1 tunnel so even during peak hours, there will only be 1 train per 10 minutes leaving the airport.

[@weatheranddarkness]

I agree with most of what you've said. But the last stop is only "technically" in Ste Anne. Practically it serves Kirkland instead as the ACTUAL Ste Anne de Bellvue is like 10km further away. There are a lot of stupid station locations along that segment and the Fairview mall station has to be the worst. It could have been near the highway overpass, if say, you worked south of the 40 around there. But as it stands it's a five minute walk across the mall parking lot just to get to the mall, let alone St Jean. And to ad insult to injury they cut down a bunch of forest to put the station there that they wouldn't have had to had the put the station somewhere smart.

[@TheKahoul]

Amazing

[@granyte]

I live right next to the metropolitain highway in the north of Montréal and yeah elevated transport infrastructure sucks in urban area. I personally hope we just shut up and put out the money to dig the rem underground in the most irritating sections. The complaint about prices on infrastructure with massive positive economic returns and potentially 80or more years lifespan always seem disconnected to me Edit:Oh god I just saw the part about complaint about using the freight train line what are they complaining about their house values would explode and they already deal with freight trains

[@CanChikMay]

I hope they keep the beauty of the city and west island

[@claudethibaudeau2714]

A friend of mine was the first to ride the bus in Dorval lol and it was only 25 cents haha. Many many moons ago 😂

[@wadexyz]

REM will result in a lot of Shiny Happy People.

[@catherineg6615]

It's so sad that The East is protesting against the REM and we would LOVE LOVE LOVE the REM to come to Vaudreuil. We have a major issue with the Ile aux tortes bridge and public transport is lacking. PLEASE we beg of you to bring the REM to vaudreuil.

[@normlor]

I'VE USED THIS SYSTEM IN CALGARY AND IT'S AMAZING EAQCH TRAIN IS ABOUT NO MORE THAN 7 MINUTES OUT AND THOUGH CALGARY IS 1/4 OF MONTREAL, I BELIEVE GETTING AROUND IN THESE WILL HELP!!

[@LerockJohn]

I have discovered Public Transit Tourism. Gonna ride in Mtl very soon! Peace Out!!

[@Game_Hero]

Soit le bienvenue chez nous!

[@DDELE7]

Can you guys do this for us in NYC for our Interborough Express project. The state of NY wants to make it a light rail. But this would be much better.

[@mjungwir]

Love the A Bar Cameo at 7:57.

[@vincentchuvc]

We've had this in vancouver since 1986

[@gerryvanderweyden9227]

Great video as far as the train infrastructure itself goes. There are concerns on the West Island (and perhaps elsewhere) about parking and transit connections to access the service. Let’s hope that this does not muddy the waters.

[@traderparkboy4274]

My favorite city

[@aarnoarnold1973]

Great to see a Canadian city investing in efficient public transportation. It's a pity other cities have to rely on slow, pathetic bus systems that don't serve enough areas of the city. Hopefully Montreal's forward-thinking expansion will motivate other cities to improve public transportation rather than forcing everyone to drive cars.

[@lapraxi]

Because Montreal is very European and doesn't like to take crap from anybody. The rest of the country is ruled by pathetic corrupt politicians who approve useless projects for the sake of filling up their pockets

[@TheRandCrews]

I wish my medium size prairie city have something like this, it can attract more people and improve the transit service. Great basis for Transit Oriented development

[@shauncameron8390]

@@lapraxi Because Quebec and by extension Montreal don't subscribe to the British-American way of doing things like the rest of Canada.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

As a light railway with heavy rail characteristics the REM literally blows every subway and trolley line in Boston out of the water! The Caisse should confer with the MBTA to automate the existing lines (save the non-grade-separated surface lines) and free up the Boston Carmen's Union to operate more surface trolleys and additional busses.

[@vangary100]

In fact, I understand from having lived in Montreal that the Metro can run without an operator. If you watch the operator closely, he does nothing to stop it. The only reason they need one is insurance.

[@stefanfedorowich9138]

Looks like a great project. The nimbs are hilarious, In Vancouver, living near the rail lines has become more desirable. I hope they've figured out how to deal with the snow that the Vancouver system has difficulty handling.

[@rubydawn1]

can t wait it will I wish we had something at the end of St Henri to serve Cote St Paul also and Ville Lasalle and Lachine.

[@henry_b1230]

Nice je savais pas

[@Walexo45]

Just to add more comments about the REM de l'est : It was not 100% cancelled by NIMBYs, but it was also the fact that the governement and city mayor Valérie Plante didn't approved the downtown portion of the rail which was gonna cost millions of dollars. Also, the green Métro line is already doing its job in these neighbourhoods further to the east. The new alternate route is way way more efficient and will serve also the neighbourhood around Promenade masson who has no access to any Métro station. Also, the neighbourhood that needs most of the transit system is located on the northeast part of the island, not southeast.

[@Allofrancois]

For sure, Valerie Plante was the number one Nimby in regards to the REM de l'Est and the downtown portion.

[@weatheranddarkness]

what alternate route? The 36B underground one that will never be built?

[@theonh9365]

I have a feeling that any project that they do, it cannot go worst than Ottawa. Hopefully one day, it goes to the east side like Hochelaga and north shore like st Jerome.