Abstract Manager

The Réseau Express métropolitain (REM), a new light-rail system in Montréal, has been operating partially for more than a year since its launch in the summer of 2023. Upon its anticipated completion in late 2027, this $9 billion project will serve 26 stations across the Greater Montréal area. Such a substantial public investment is expected to significantly impact the physical and social landscape of the region. To examine these multifaceted impacts, the Transportation Research at McGill (TRAM) group initiated a multi-year assessment in 2019, aligning with the early stages of the REM's construction. Central to this assessment is an ongoing longitudinal survey conducted in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, with further waves yet to come. The first five waves of this survey have gathered data on travel behavior, social perceptions, wellbeing, and attitudinal and sociodemographic characteristics. In addition, detailed built-environment data around new REM stations has been collected and a comprehensive policy content analysis of municipal bylaws was performed. Analyzing findings from the project's first five years, we identified critical insights into the short- and long-term effects of large-scale public-transit initiatives. Regarding perceptions of the REM, nuanced views emerged about the project’s anticipated impacts, alongside stable negative opinions on construction-related disruptions over time. With survey waves conducted after the REM has begun operations, it has become possible to evaluate both intentions and actual use. Both anticipated and actual use of the REM reflect a growing emphasis on infrequent trip purposes, such as leisure and shopping, even as commuting remains a significant contributor to overall ridership. While earlier survey data indicated a significant gender gap in intended use—women were less likely to plan to use the REM—data from the first year of service shows no discernible gender gap in actual usage. This shift highlights the importance of assessing how anticipated behaviors evolve in response to transit experiences. Additionally, our research highlighted significant travel behavior trends preceding the project’s opening that could influence future ridership. From a policy perspective, most municipalities have yet to implement substantial bylaw changes to support Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) around REM stations. While research on the REM is ongoing, findings from the initial years underscore critical challenges for large infrastructure projects, particularly regarding equity. These insights, along with forthcoming results, will provide valuable guidance to public-transit agencies seeking to optimize benefits from major transit investments.