REM out of order for third time in 24 hours

Montreal's REM light-rail line has suffered through numerous shut downs and stoppages in a single week.

Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is out of service for the third time in just 24 hours.

The transit agency posted on its social media at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday that trains were out of service in all directions due to a “technical issue” and bus shuttles would be in place.

Shortly after, it said service was “delayed.”

The company running the REM said cold weather could be a factor in the latest outage.

“We will try to find out why it happened and how we can make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said REM spokesperson Francis Labbe.

The public transit advocacy group Trajectoire Quebec is concerned by the number of shutdowns on the REM in its two years of operation.

“The REM is fairly new,” said Trajectoire Quebec spokesperson Philippe Jacques. “We’re used to having that kind of problem with the old metro station.”

The REM also had issues early in the morning, likely due to a track switch.

At 5:45 a.m., the REM announced a service interruption in both directions, also due to a “technical issue.” Service resumed in full four hours later, around 9:30 a.m.

The light train was out of service for several hours on Monday, including the afternoon rush hour, as the city was under heavy snowfall. Long lines were seen around the Bonaventure station as people piled into shuttles.

During the disruptions, the REM deploys the 720, 721, 722 and 568 bus lines.

Commuters should expect more interruptions in coming months. For example, trains won’t be running on weekends as the agency continues works on its network.

With reporting from CTV News Montreal journalist Matt Grillo.