REM extends service hours after fire disrupts Longueuil bus network
News
The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) will extend its Thursday evening service after a fire in a Longueuil bus garage forced the suspension of overnight shuttle operations.
The last REM train will depart from Brossard at 12:50 a.m., with the final departure from Central Station scheduled for 1:10 a.m., the network announced Thursday afternoon on X.
The adjustment comes after a fire broke out in the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) garage earlier in the day, halting the usual bus service that supplements REM operations during off-hours.
In a Facebook post at 11:44 a.m., RTL said service disruptions would begin at 2:30 p.m. and continue until further notice.
'All our teams are mobilized to minimize the impact on our customers,' the agency said.
By 1 p.m., RTL said the fire had been brought under control and no injuries had been reported. Emergency crews remained on site to secure the area.
'Thank you all for your messages and understanding during this exceptional situation,' RTL wrote.
Passengers are encouraged to check REM and RTL platforms for real-time updates.

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Montreal Gazette
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