Montreal-area commuters on the Mascouche train line are set for a major travel time reduction, as regional transit agency Exo has announced a long-awaited connection to the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) will open on January 12, 2025.
A Seamless Transfer to Faster Downtown Access
Starting that day, the Mascouche Exo train line will terminate at the new Côte-de-Liesse station, where riders can make a seamless transfer to the REM light rail system. This direct link will allow passengers to reach McGill station in the downtown core in just 11 minutes via the REM.
Exo estimates this new routing will save commuters up to 45 minutes on their journey downtown. Previously, a trip could take around one hour and 50 minutes; the new connection dramatically streamlines the route.
Background: A Reroute Since the Tunnel Closure
This change marks a significant shift in the line's operations since the Mount Royal Tunnel was closed to commuter trains in 2020. For the past five years, the Mascouche line has been forced to take a lengthy, 90-minute detour around the western side of Mount Royal to reach its former terminus at Central Station.
This inefficient path led most commuters to instead transfer to the Metro's Orange Line at Sauvé station. The new schedule effective January 12 will maintain a similar number of trips at comparable times, but with Côte-de-Liesse firmly established as the line's new endpoint.
Controversy and Infrastructure Reality
The decision to end the Mascouche line at a REM transfer point was met with criticism during the light rail system's construction. Opponents argued it would discourage use of a commuter line that cost $700 million to build and has historically seen lower ridership.
However, transit planners faced a fundamental infrastructure limitation: the Mount Royal Tunnel cannot accommodate both an automated light rail system like the REM and a conventional, piloted commuter train line. The integration at Côte-de-Liesse is presented as the optimal solution to modernize the network and improve overall travel times.
Exo stated it is "confident" in the January 12 launch date, citing the current state of testing at the station. For daily riders, the change promises to reclaim precious time and offer a more integrated public transit experience for the northeastern suburbs of Montreal.
