A shortcut that should allow many users to save transfer time between the metro and the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) will finally open its doors this Friday in downtown Montreal.
This was announced by the light rail manager this Thursday, specifying that you will need to have a valid transport ticket in hand to use this access. Ticket machines will also be installed at the entrance by the Regional Metropolitan Transport Authority (ARTM) in the coming days, but not immediately. However, we will be able to travel in both directions.
The passage will only be accessible by a staircase “initially”, specified the Caisse de dépôt, which however ensures that the elevators via the Central station remain available. REM agents will be on site over the coming days to support users and collect comments.
The opening of this shortcut was announced by CDPQ Infra in 2018 before being abandoned. The doors were therefore locked until now, to the great dismay of several users and organizations who demanded a quick solution.
The pedestrian tunnel starts from the southern end of the REM platform at Central Station, passes through Place Bonaventure and follows a long straight corridor to Bonaventure station.
After the publication of an article The Press Last fall, however, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante called on partners to find a solution to this issue. This therefore progressed, but still took several months to complete, CDPQ Infra having had to carry out a security analysis.
“We are in advanced discussions with the REM and this situation should be resolved shortly,” said Richard Hylands, owner of Place Bonaventure through his company Kevric, at the beginning of 2024. “It should be very soon,” he assured.
Kevric will be responsible for adding signage and display elements, in collaboration with the REM team.
Few months ago, The Press had completed the journey in 2 minutes and 37 seconds, compared to 4 minutes and 1 second taking the official route via the Central Station, which is much more tortuous.
With Philippe Teisceira-Lessard, La Presse