In the wake of the repeated service shutdowns that occurred last week and the confusion surrounding communications with users, Quebec judges that the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) service must improve.
“To cause a modal shift, our public transport networks must work. […] The problems encountered over the past six months must be taken seriously and we must ensure that users are well informed. It is imperative that the system improves,” indicated the office of the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault, Monday morning.
Minister Guilbault, it was specified, is in contact with the teams of the REM and the Regional Metropolitan Transport Authority (ARTM) to ensure that measures are taken to remedy the situation.
Over the past week, the REM has experienced four service interruptions, including a major breakdown last Wednesday, during rush hour. As reported The duty, users were invited last Wednesday to go outside the Central Station, at 1000, de la Gauchetière, where shuttles would take them to the South Shore. However, the buses never came and after about forty minutes, users were informed that they would have to go to the Longueuil metro station to take the shuttles. Users reported Duty of their great frustration. At the end of their patience, some have even decided to forgo the REM to take their car.
In an interview with Radio-Canada Monday morning, the president and CEO of CDPQ Infra, Jean-Marc Arbaud, admitted that the month of January had been difficult and that the service interruptions were too long, but that he It was a “bad combination of circumstances”. “We had four issues in four days. That in no way excuses the situation. We are fully aware of the inconvenience this causes to users,” he said. “Our suppliers, AtkinsRéalis and Alstom, know very well that they must quickly provide solutions to the various challenges. »
He pointed out that on Thursday, the REM had been grappling with problems relating to the screen doors and that the resumption of service had been delayed due in particular to the lack of staff training. Mr. Arbaud also admitted that communications with users were deficient. “It’s important that we communicate better and more in advance. »
Jean-Marc Arbaud also believes that the succession plan, which is the responsibility of the ARTM, will have to improve. “This succession plan must be in place and be effective,” he said. “That doesn’t take away the fact that, for me, it’s not acceptable. […] Long outages like that should be close to zero. We shouldn’t have any. That’s all. »
He nevertheless affirmed that the effectiveness rate of REM remained high. “If you look at the number of trains operating, the efficiency rate is still very good,” he maintained.
Further details will follow.