After waking up to a snowy scene in Brossard, Quebec, David St-Pierre decided to test the light-rail transit system in the metropolitan area of Montreal once more. St-Pierre, like many other commuters in Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, faced disruptions on Thursday due to heavy snowfall affecting the new light-rail systems in all three cities.
Experiencing a 50-minute wait at the REM Brossard station before a train finally arrived, St-Pierre expressed concerns about the services’ readiness for Canadian winters. Transit advocate Steve Munro and project management professor Lavagnon Ika also questioned the winter preparedness of the systems.
The recent challenging winter conditions in Canada have raised doubts about the effectiveness of light-rail systems in extreme weather. Experts suggest that occasional disruptions due to heavy snow may be an inherent risk of choosing lighter rail systems over more expensive underground subway lines.
Ahmed El-Geneidy, a professor at McGill University, highlighted the importance of snow removal mechanisms for transit systems like Montreal’s REM. He noted that heavier trains, such as diesel-powered suburban transit trains, are less affected by snow and ice due to their weight and engine power.
Despite facing various weather-related challenges since its launch two years ago, the Reseau Express Metropolitain (REM) has shown improvement. However, disruptions on Thursday affected parts of the REM, Toronto’s Finch Line LRT, and Ottawa’s LRT Line 2.
Commuters like Katherine Bignell-Jones and Jeanne Panneton shared their dissatisfaction with the light-rail services, citing efficiency issues compared to previous bus options. Concerns about the reliability of the systems during winter weather persist among riders.
In Ottawa, LRT Line 1 and Line 2 encountered difficulties due to weather-related issues, with disruptions and reduced speeds reported. The Finch LRT in Toronto faced technology challenges, including problems with switch heaters, leading to service interruptions and delays.
Efforts are underway to address winter-related issues in the light-rail systems, with plans to implement new equipment and procedures to mitigate disruptions caused by severe weather conditions. Despite the challenges, commuters like St-Pierre remain hopeful that improvements will ensure smoother operations throughout the year.