Procurement In June 2016,
CDPQ Infra launched a public tender for "Rolling Stock, Systems and Operation and Maintenance Services" ("''Fourniture du Matériel Roulant, de Systèmes de conduite automatique et de Services d'Exploitation et de Maintenance''" (MRSEM) in French). This contract would include the delivery of rolling stock, automatic signalling, a control centre for the line, as well as operation and maintenance for a period of 30 years. Following a pre-qualification phase, CDPQ Infra announced on 10 November 2016, that three companies and consortia could place a bid: •
Bombardier Transportation •
Alliance Montréal Mobilité (a consortium of
Parsons Corporation,
Hyundai Rotem,
RATP Dev and
Thales Canada) •
Groupe des Partenaires pour la Mobilité des Montréalais (Groupe PMMa consortium of
Alstom and
SNC-Lavalin O&M). On 8 February 2018, CDPQ Infra announced that Groupe PMM (Alstom and SNC-Lavalin O&M) had been selected for the $2.8-billion MRSEM contract, with the contract award taking place in April 2018. The final design was unveiled in March 2019, with the Saint-Laurent design chosen by the public, with front lights inspired by the Champlain Bridge. Alstom announced the trains would be manufactured at their
Sri City plant in India, as manufacturing the trains in India allowed them to offer a lower price. The
Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) provincial party was among those who desired at least parts of the contract to be awarded to
Bombardier Transportation's factory in
La Pocatière, Quebec, instead of to Alstom. Leader of CAQ
François Legault criticised the government for not supporting Quebec industry, and stated that at least 25 percent of the contract should have had Quebec content, similar to provisions in
Ontario. Alstom argued that over 65 percent of the $2.8-billion contract value would be spent in Quebecincluding
platform screen doors, a control centre and 30 years of operation and maintenance. They were first unveiled in November 2020. Initial trains delivered had quality issues; however, CDPQ Infra reported by December 2021 that the issues had been resolved. By November 2021, 37 of the 106 trains had been delivered and trains were undergoing testing. , 87 of the 106 trains had been delivered. The final train was delivered in September 2024.
Entry into service The Alstom Metropolis Saint-Laurent entered service on 31 July 2023, with the opening of the first five stations of the REM network. In April 2024, CDPQ Infra announced that they would run two-car trains on weekends and other off-peak periods instead of four-car trains, thereby reducing energy consumption and wear on the vehicles. == Features ==