Public transit users in Montreal were faced with service disruptions on two fronts on Friday as part of the REM and the green line on the Metro were shut down.

Service on the REM has now been restored. 

As for the Metro, Montreal's public transit authority says more than half of the green line is out of service for an "indefinite period."

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) said late Friday morning that service is disrupted between Angrignon and Berri-UQAM stations due to "water infiltration."

That stretch of the green line was out of service for nearly an hour-and-a-half earlier on Friday for the same reason, but service was supposed to be back up and running by 11:30 a.m.

Now, the STM says it does not know when things will be back to normal.

Crowds of frustrated public transit users in Montreal were forced to find other options after the Green metro line and REM went down on Nov. 1, 2024. (CTV News)

A water main leak near the Lionel-Groulx station was the source of the water leakage, according to STM spokesperson Amélie Régis. There are tiles on the ceiling in the station to prevent water from leaking in but they did not hold, she said.

"We have to pump the water on the tracks. As you know, the metal runs on the electricity, so water and electricity do not mix well. So we have to pump the water completely before resuming service," Régis said.

Commuters are being asked to use the orange line to get downtown or use the bus as an alternative.

The STM set up a shuttle bus service between Angrignon and Lionel-Groulx stations, which are shut down by the infiltrations. For travel between Lionel-Groulx and Berri-UQAM stations, the STM recommends taking the Orange Line. STM officials say 12 inches of water have accumulated on the tracks near Lionel-Groulx that still needs to be pumped out as of 12:45 p.m.

Service on the line was interrupted for an hour Friday morning, after water infiltration occurred at 6 a.m. at the Lionel-Groulx station. STM staff installed ceiling panels to prevent the water from leaking but they did not hold, resulting in a second interruption at around 10 a.m. Officials with the STM said the water was coming from a broken city water main.

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) also had issues for the second time in two days. Service between Panama and Central Station was disrupted for about two hours due to strong winds, an official told CTV News.

"When the wind is having sustained gusts over 70 kilometres per hour we prefer to stop the REM. The gusts are even stronger on the Samuel-de-Champlain bridge. We want to protect our customers from the effects of the wind," said REM spokesperson Francis Labbé.

The REM's social media account said that service was restored just before 2 p.m.

On Thursday, service was down on the light-rail line for roughly three hours after a system failure on two trains caused it to stop.

Some commuters were briefly stuck on the trains but were later brought back to Central Station.

With files from CTV Montreal's Kevin Gould and Laurence Brisson Dubreuil

The STM's Response to Service Interruption

The STM has assured commuters that they are working tirelessly to resolve the issue and restore service on the Green Line as quickly as possible. However, with waterlogged tracks and safety concerns, the STM cannot rush the process and will only resume service once it is safe for passengers.

The STM has also recommended alternative routes for commuters, including using the orange line to get downtown or using the bus as an alternative.

Impact on Commuters

This latest service interruption has caused major inconvenience for commuters, particularly those who rely on the Green Line for their daily commute. The shutdowns come at a time when Montrealers are already facing a plethora of transportation challenges, including rising gas prices and ongoing construction projects.

The STM is committed to keeping commuters updated about the situation on the Green Line and will announce when service is restored. Until then, passengers are urged to plan their trips accordingly and consider alternative routes for travel.

The Importance of Public Transit

Public transit is a crucial part of any city's infrastructure and plays a vital role in the lives of millions of people. It provides affordable, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation, helping to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

When service disruptions occur, it can have a significant impact on people's ability to get to work, school, or appointments. The STM's ongoing efforts to maintain and improve its public transit system are crucial for ensuring that Montrealers have access to safe and reliable transportation options.

It is important to remember that public transit is a complex system with many moving parts and occasional disruptions are inevitable. The STM is committed to addressing these issues promptly and efficiently and ensuring that the Green Line is back in service as quickly as possible.