The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is inviting the public aboard an REM car for the first time, which will be set up at Place Extasia in Quartier DIX30 from Aug. 26-29, near the future light metro system's Du Quartier station in Brossard, QC.
Throughout the weekend, activities will be held on site and representatives and experts will be on hand to answer questions. Five years after the project's announcement and three years after the start of construction work, this will be an opportunity for future users to get their first look at an REM car.
The public is encouraged to enter a contest on the REM's Facebook page to be among the first users to board the car. The 15 winners and their guests will enjoy an exclusive tour of the car with team members, to be held in the early evening of Aug. 26. They will learn the details about the design process for the car, which will crisscross Greater Montréal in the coming years. The contest ends on Aug. 22 at 11:59 pm. Winners will be chosen at random from among all registered entrants.
The car will be accessible at any time on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A range of activities have been planned over the weekend, including music-filled lineup (on Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday morning) and thematic activities. Saturday will be under the theme of the family while Sunday will be under the theme of the Sunday brunch.
To get on board the REM, participants will follow a route filled with information about the commissioning of this new network, Québec's largest public transit project in 50 years. Measures will also be taken to adhere to the public health guidelines in effect.
Two informative activities will also be available:
- History and behind-the-scenes look at the development of the Réseau express métropolitain: To be held on Aug. 28 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., will present the origins and major steps that led to the REM project. This will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges of building such a system, as well as the impressive strides made in the last few years. Participation in this activity will be on a first-come, first serve basis.
- Breakdown of the REM's design: To be held on Aug. 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., will present how the REM's identity was created at the very start of the project. During this look back in time, participants will get a better understanding of how the REM's image came about. The graphic elements will be explained, as well as the choices behind the car's aesthetics. Participation in this activity will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
After its visit to Quartier DIX30, the REM car will then be exhibited at the Exporail in Saint-Constant until spring 2022.
