There is some good news for drivers in the West Island wanting to ditch their cars in favour of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM). The new branch to the city’s western suburbs is set to open next week, and the light rail network has announced that 300 free parking spaces are being made available at the Fairview–Pointe-Claire station. Initially, the station was expected to accommodate 2,500 parking spots, but those plans were cancelled, sparking concerns from Pointe-Claire Mayor John Belvedere and public transit users about the lack of adequate parking for park-and-ride users. On Friday, the REM confirmed that the 300 incentive parking spots would be available when the Anse-à-l’Orme branch opens on Monday, with four new stations in the West Island. The new spaces are across from the station and accessible via Fairview Avenue. “Access has been designed to be multimodal: car, bus and bicycle. Public transit is encouraged,” the REM said on social media. The new extension to the West Island adds 14 kilometres of new track to the network with stops at the Des Sources, Fairview–Pointe-Claire, Kirkland and Anse-à-l’Orme stations. To celebrate, the REM is offering free rides on the Anse-à-l’Orme branch on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ahead of the official opening on May 18. However, bicycles and pets will not be allowed on the REM during the opening weekend due to the high volume of passengers expected. Access to the network from stations on the Deux-Montagnes and South Shore lines (5:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.) remains subject to the usual fares. Earlier this week, CTV News tested the new Anse-à-l’Orme line to the West Island with Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec President and CEO Charles Emond, who discusses the opening, as well as the series of delays and cost overruns during the REM’s construction.
