West Island commuters experienced an unsettling sense of déjà vu this week as at least two REM trains remained immobilized on elevated tracks spanning Highway 40 for more than 16 hours, stretching from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.
Extended Stoppage During Critical Testing Period
The light-rail trains became stuck during the season's first significant snow accumulation, creating a visible reminder of the system's previous winter struggles. Commuters first noticed the powerless trains around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, as many were heading home from work or school. Remarkably, the same trains remained in their positions the following morning after 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, marking an extended stoppage of over 16 hours.
One train was located near the Canadian Tire store at St-Charles Blvd., while another sat just east of St-Jean Blvd., close to the Fairview shopping mall in Pointe-Claire. Both trains appeared completely disabled, with their lights off throughout the ordeal.
Problematic Branch Faces Ongoing Testing
The affected section belongs to the REM's Anse-à-l'Orme branch, which runs parallel to Highway 40 and terminates at Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, just west of Morgan Blvd. This particular branch, featuring four stations, is not part of the network scheduled to begin service next Monday. Instead, REM officials have indicated that testing will continue throughout fall and winter, with hopes of integrating this branch into the network by spring 2026.
During a September news conference, REM representatives denied encountering any significant problems during testing, despite their decision to delay the Anse-à-l'Orme branch's opening. The upcoming Deux-Montagnes branch, which travels through the Mount Royal tunnel and serves 14 stations, remains on schedule for its Friday ribbon-cutting ceremony and will begin accepting paying customers Monday morning.
Winter Reliability Concerns Resurface
This incident revives concerns about the REM's performance in winter conditions. The system's initial Brossard-to-Central Station branch experienced frequent slowdowns and failures last winter, particularly during snowy and windy weather. REM officials had previously assured the public that these issues had been resolved through months of adjustments, promising a much smoother operation this coming winter.
Coinciding with the West Island stoppage, the operational Brossard branch experienced two separate slowdowns on Tuesday, each lasting approximately 30 minutes, according to reports on the transit agency's social media channels.
The Montreal Gazette contacted REM spokespeople with multiple requests for information but had received no responses by publication time Wednesday morning. Unconfirmed reports also suggested that testing on the Deux-Montagnes branch had been halted, though REM officials have not verified this information.
