REM back online after smoke caused service interruption

A REM train is shown being tested on a track in Montreal, Tuesday, May 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Graham Hughes

Service resumed on the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) after the presence of smoke led to an evacuation and a major service disruption during the afternoon commute on Friday.

The network was back to normal shortly after 5 p.m.

Earlier in the day, smoke forced a train to stop at the Édouard-Montpetit station.

Pulsar, the operator of the REM network, called the Montreal fire department to conduct the necessary checks. The fire department said after inspecting the train, the smoke was due to an electrical problem. There was no fire and no firefighter intervention needed, a spokesperson said.

Pulsar said the train was evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The REM said on social media at 3:25 p.m. that service was interrupted between Côte-de-Liesse and Central Stations in both directions due to an “emergency service response.” The disruption lasted about an hour-and-a-half.

Shuttle buses were also deployed.

With files from Noovo Info