The largest automated public transport project in North America

The largest automated public transport project in North America

An ambitious response to mobility between urban and suburban areas, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) will provide an efficient, sustainable travel solution for residents and visitors alike. With 67km and 26 stations, the REM establishes a rapid link between downtown Montreal, the South Shore, the North Shore, the West Island and the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.

Tasked with the architectural and landscape design of its stations, our transdisciplinary team drew up detailed designs and an urban integration charter with unifying design elements for a consistent signature throughout its network: The use of wood, juxtaposing horizontal and vertical lines to capture forward movement, and transparency for better neighborhood integration.

Designed to be universally accessible, the stations are focused on providing a positive, intuitive and safe user experience. Views are maximized to enhance natural light, security and visual cues, while comprehensive and evocative signage streamlines circulation. Outside, sustainable strategies such as rainwater management and carefully curated vegetation to reduce heat islands have been integrated. Along the REM’s route, landscaping will offer a sustainable and diversified ecosystem, forming an exemplary green continuum.

Its common design language generates a degree of flexibility to which stations can be adapted to according to their specific characteristics of the neighborhoods they serve. The largest integrated urban design project in Montreal’s history, the REM and its 100% electric light metro system embody a new era of public transit in Quebec.