First REM Ride

 The first portion of the Réseau Express Métropolitain (from Brossard to Central Station) opened for the first regular passengers today and the MBC gathered at Ma Bicyclette, curious  to see what it was like.

After a few mix ups along the way, they rode over the Nun's Island station planning to take the REM to the station farthest South, Brossard.

It was a bit confusing as to how to bike to the Nun's Island Station, is there a bike path connecting it to the more direct Eastern side Nun's Island path?

 Once in the station, there was the usual confusion about how to buy different zones using an OPUS card. After failing in my attempt to buy a single seniors fare to Brossard on my Zone AB Opus card, the helpful aid confirmed it is not possible.  Only paper full fare tickets can be bought. 

 There is an elevator to take the bikes up to the train platform.  Max 2 bikes at a time seems a bit low.

The train platform was quite nice, with safety doors that separate the platform from incoming trains.

 Surprisingly, for the first day, few people were riding the train.  Later we found out that there was an earlier glitch on the REM and incoming buses to the system had been diverted away.

The cars seemed quite nice with areas set aside for bikes / wheelchairs.  According to the REM website there is a maximum of 2 bikes per car.  (Each train has 4 cars)

Upon arriving at the Brossard station, I realized for the first time that this station is actually past Autoroute 30, beyond the Dix30 Shopping Mall.  The more useful station for future MBC fixtures is earlier de Quartier station which has better connections to the bike path back to the Champlain bridge (Rome Ave) and to nearby Chambly canal bike path.

  There is a bike path to the Brossard station, but can it only be accessed from the Departing to Montreal side of the station, not the arriving side of the station.  Because one of the two elevators required was out of service it was necessary to carry the bikes up and down the stairs to get to the other side of the station.

Once one the right side of the station, there is a nice bike path, past the bus parking, REM train turnaround, and a bridge over Autoroute 30 to the DIX30 Mall (de Quartier station), which is where all the other cycling paths connect.

The first REM ride complete we rode back to Montreal along the familiar Rome Ave / Champlain Bridge route.