2023-07-29 22:30:00
The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) was a victim of its own success when more than 60,000 onlookers flocked to its stations in the hope of trying out the all-new light rail. At full capacity, organizers had to ask the public to reschedule tours until tomorrow.
On this first day of free trial open to the public, the REM had reached its maximum capacity at the start of the followingnoon. “We exceeded 20,000 people in three hours,” said CDPQ infra communications director Jean Vincent Lacroix. “What we realize is that this is a historic event,” rejoiced the spokesperson.
At the beginning of the followingnoon, the friendly and festive atmosphere of the morning had given way to the frustration of waiting for the thousands of people who were still queuing in its stations at that time.
At the central station, around 1 p.m., Le Devoir was able to observe that the queue made a complete tour of the central station, before extending into the corridors leading outside, to continue its course into the rue Belmont, at the back of the quadrangle. A family at the entrance complained regarding the overflow, while others wondered regarding their chances of boarding the coveted light rail.
Same story at the Brossard station, located in the incentive parking lot near the Dix30 district, where security estimated the wait between one hour and one and a half hours at the end of the morning.
Around 2 p.m., however, the organizers announced that they would no longer accept new passengers until 4 p.m. in order to encourage returns.
“People want to be there, they want to be there, testified Mr. Lacroix. Obviously, tomorrow would be a good opportunity. There will be other opportunities to try it, ”acknowledged the spokesperson for CDPQ infra.
Following this tide of enthusiasm for the free trials, the director expects another wave tomorrow. “We have exceeded 60,000 people. It’s historic, it’s huge. Tomorrow, we expect more enthusiasm, so it would be important to find out before leaving and to arrive earlier to get a good seat on board,” he advises.
Heartwarming welcome
The doors of De la Gare station opened on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Already, the interested parties formed a long line which extended on all the floor of the central station. The mood was cordial and cheerful for these travelers of all ages. Young families and elderly couples were already rushing to obtain an inauguration passport for the REM, which, like their Expo 67 equivalents, might be stamped at each station visited.
In turn, groups of spirited travelers boarded the air-conditioned, Wi-Fi equipped cars that entered the station every seven minutes on Saturday. The majority flocked to the end cars because of the panoramic view offered by their large windows.
If the approach of the train in the station generated a rumble partly muffled by the platform doors, the interior was quieter when the train is moving.
“It’s comfortable, it’s recent, it’s not noisy. It’s a plus for Brossard and the South Shore,” says Maryse Breton, who came from Beauce to test the train. “I would like to see that in Quebec! she exclaims.
“It’s much easier to get downtown for people from the South Shore, and there’s no traffic,” says Wang, who works downtown and lives in Greenfield Park. Makhtar Dione, who lives close to the grid, is considering a change in his transport habits. “It’s a very good idea to switch to all-electric, maybe I’ll get rid of a vehicle,” he announces.
Several glances scrutinize the panorama offered by the journey. “We have an impressive view of Montreal, it’s really beautiful and in the car we can’t afford to look”, notes for his part Maxime Thibault, electronics technician, who came from Pierrefonds to try the REM, interested in the technical aspect of the train.
In addition, the infrastructures are equipped with lifts and are accessible for people with reduced mobility. “There is a space reserved for people with disabilities, so it’s perfect for me,” says Paula Sanchez, from Candiac, who plans to take the REM at least three times a week to get to work. “It’s very pleasant, fast and organised”, she summarizes.
Measures in place for noise
Le Devoir, as well as some passengers, noted an irritating whistle in some cars. “When the doors open and the air enters, there is a small funnel effect, explains the spokesperson for CDPQ infra. In some cars, the noise is constant. It’s not supposed to happen. It’s part of the break-in, there are a lot of things that we will still be fine-tuning. »
As for noise reduction outdoors, especially on Île des Soeurs, Pointe-Saint-Charles and Griffintown, the director says he is taking measures to limit the vibration of the structure, where the noise comes from. “In the short term, we have been grinding [des roues] and installed vibration absorbers over 240 meters to analyze their effect,” explains Mr. Lacroix.
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