Free rides on the REM – at first
TVA says there will be two days of free rides on the REM after it opens in two weeks’ time, but Radio‑Canada says two weeks of tolerance will be allowed for riders without a ticket.
Metro runs down what we need to know about the operations of the first segment of the REM.
The STM explains how the Nuns’ Island bus routes will change on July 31 to bring people to the REM to get into town. I don’t imagine that commuters who used to take just one bus to go downtown will be thrilled with the extra transfer, but it is what it is.
Forgetful 18:19 on 2023-07-17 Permalink
Some people are making jokes that until the fare gates are installed, it’s free. Personally I wouldn’t want to be brutalized by a fare inspector.
Kate 18:20 on 2023-07-17 Permalink
Has anyone here ever been caught without a valid fare on an Exo train?
(Has anyone here even ridden on an Exo train?)
Nicholas 18:37 on 2023-07-17 Permalink
I took the train regularly when it was still AMT and there were rarely inspections, about as often as on the metro, but I did see some people get caught. Of course they actually checked people on the train or as they got off where you could get surprised, rather than standing in uniform right behind the metro faregates in view of everyone, catching only people passing through the turnstiles knowing they didn’t have a valid ticket but being too stupid to look for inspectors first. The train inspectors are best able to catch people coming into Lucien L’Allier, where once you get off you have no where to hide or run and it’s too late to buy a ticket. When I took the train regularly I did not travel into LL nor was I travelling in the rush hour direction, so the trains were fairly empty, so there were fewer inspectors. I’m sure the REM will want to ensure people are paying these first few months and will set the tone by being out in force.
DeWolf 20:16 on 2023-07-17 Permalink
The only time I’ve taken a commuter train (back when it was AMT and not Exo) I didn’t have a ticket because the machine was broken, so I just got on and hoped for the best. Nothing happened.
However, I grew up in Calgary where the C-Train has an honour system and ticket inspections are pretty common outside of the jam-packed rush hours. I also spent a lot of time in Vancouver before they installed fare gates and it was a similar story. if you didn’t have a ticket, there was a good chance you’d get caught.
Blork 20:51 on 2023-07-17 Permalink
Despite all the problems, I’m looking forward to the launch and I hope it goes well. I was driving across the Champlain bridge on Saturday and saw three REM trains zipping around and it was great to see them.
I only regret that I have absolutely no use for it. I don’t live anywhere near any REM stations. Even after the lines are built out more it will be like the West Island commuter lines for me; nice to see them but will never use them. 🙁
mare 00:48 on 2023-07-18 Permalink
Inspired by @Blork’s comment I just tried to look something up in their FAQ to see if there’s a chance I’m ever going to use the REM (apart from trying it out in the first weeks) until the airport stretch is done. So I went to their English website. Illegally because I’m not covered by the exceptions of the new language laws (yes, that’s what a big banner says).
Anyway, can someone explain to me what this means: “You can purchase either an All Modes fare or one of the special bus fares related to the REM’s commissioning, which allows you to use the REM, as appropriate to your situation and location.”
I don’t think it’s written in a language that I understand. Fortunately (or unfortunately) the French version is not much clearer, so they also need better writers, and not only better translators.
Blork 09:04 on 2023-07-18 Permalink
“You can purchase either an All Modes fare or one of the special bus fares related to the REM’s commissioning, which allows you to use the REM, as appropriate to your situation and location.”
That PROBABLY means you have two options: Option 1 is an “All Modes” fare which you can use on REM, bus, and Metro. Option 2 is a special fare (presumably cheaper) which only works on the REM.
As someone who writes instructions for a living, this kind of written sludge just kills me. I’ve never taken a Bixi because I could not get past the crushing ennui and sadness that reading its instructions imposed on me. (Maybe it’s better now, but in the beginning it was absolutely impenetrable.)
Kate 10:38 on 2023-07-18 Permalink
mare, you realize we will have to transmit your confession to the OQLF.
Uatu 10:47 on 2023-07-18 Permalink
Well I’m forced into taking it and my fare was raised to 190 bucks a month so this thing had better work. I’m hoping there will be more local service between the Panama station and my house but I’m not holding my breath. When they started the 45 express bus it should have made more buses available for weekend service yet I was still waiting at the Panama station in -20c for 30min on a Sun night because I just missed my connection. I’m also worried because they said they shut down the service during last week’s rainstorm. I’ve waited downtown during bad weather closures of the old Champlain bridge and I’m not looking forward to the angry, tired mob forced to wait in a confined space for delayed trains.
Blork 11:46 on 2023-07-18 Permalink
Uatu, you have my sympathy. Curious: how long a bus ride is it from the Panama station to your place? In my case it’s MORE THAN ONE HOUR. As in, more than an hour just to get to Panama, not including the REM connection. Which is crazy considering I can drive downtown in a bit more than 15 minutes.
Ian 13:01 on 2023-07-18 Permalink
There’s still no bus schedule for Ste Anne. Long walk from Ste Marie north of the 40.
https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/kramberger-parking-and-bus-routes-for-west-island-rem-stations-are-unresolved