Montreal REM train loses power mid-route, forcing evacuations on track

A Montreal REM train lost power Friday afternoon, forcing passengers to evacuate onto the tracks and causing a network disruption. (Terry Sylvester)

A Montreal REM train lost power Friday afternoon, forcing passengers to evacuate onto the tracks and causing a network disruption.

A media spokesperson for the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) told CTV News that the train lost electricity approximately 500 metres before l’Île-des-Sœurs station at around 4 p.m.

According to the media spokesperson, passengers were evacuated via another train.

‘It was suffocating’

Terry Sylvester was aboard the REM train when it lost power.

According to Sylvester, passengers were stuck on the tracks for almost an hour and a half. She says one person fainted during the incident.

“After 10 minutes, it was suffocating,” she told CTV News.

“People were getting dizzy, complaining. I press the red emergency button to call the control station. I told them that since we are stuck, could they at least put the AC on? They said they couldn’t and were sending another train.”

Fifteen minutes later, another passenger pressed the button again for help, Sylvester said.

“It was getting critical,” she said.

“A guy pressed the button to ask what the directive and action plan are, as people are starting to not feel good. They told us to be patient and stop calling as they had to work.”

According to Sylvester, she and another woman forced one of the doors open to allow more air into the train.

“Then we get a voice message on the speaker saying not to do that as it is dangerous. I told them not breathing is also dangerous,” Sylvester said.

When another train arrived to help evacuate passengers, she says there were no instructions or help.

“People had to climb up the train. I had to push elderly people on,” Sylvester said.

“People were falling down. A woman had a panic attack and started crying.”

‘Gradual return’ to service

The incident caused delays between Gare Centrale and Panama stations in both directions.

Two other trains behind the first, which lost power, were also forced to stop along the route while passengers were evacuated.

Service was expected to resume at 5:30 p.m., but as of 7:37 p.m., the REM says service will return gradually.

According to the REM, boarding will take place on platform 1 for passengers travelling in the direction of A1–Brossard at Central Station and Île-des-Sœurs stations.

The REM spokesperson said it is not yet known why the train lost power and that further investigation is needed to determine the cause.

“We are aware of the impact this type of situation can have on our users, and we regret the inconvenience caused,” the media spokesperson said.

“We are doing everything we can to investigate the causes of this incident and take the appropriate measures to reduce the risk of such a situation recurring.”