Groupe des Partenaires pour la Mobilité des Montréalais (PMM), the Alstom-led consortium with SNC-Lavalin, signed a contract with CDPQ Infra to deliver a complete automatic and driverless light metro system, including rolling stock and signaling, as well as operation and maintenance services, for the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project in Montreal. The total contract is worth approximately $2.2 billion.

Upon completion, REM will be one of the world's largest automated transport networks — approximately 41 miles long with 26 stations — connecting downtown Montreal to the South Shore, the North Shore, the West Island, and Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Under the terms of the contract, Groupe PMM will supply 212 Alstom Metropolis metro cars (106 two-car trainsets), Alstom’s Urbalis 400 driverless and automated communications-based train control (CBTC), and Iconis control center solutions, as well as platform screen doors, Wi-Fi connectivity, and 30 years of operations and maintenance services.

Groupe PMM is also responsible for train and system integration tests and depot equipment supply for train maintenance. The start of commercial service on the first segment of REM is expected in summer of 2021.

The REM project will lead to the creation of an Alstom global center of excellence in Montreal for the research and development of integrated systems of control in urban mobility. This center will bring together approximately 100 professionals who will be tasked to leverage Montreal’s expertise in advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence to develop solutions that will be used in Alstom projects worldwide.