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The Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM) project, the proposed electric train system in Montreal, continues to grow.

CDPQ Infra, the subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, announced on Tuesday the addition of 40 cars, bringing the proposed fleet to 240 cars to meet higher demand than initially expected.

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This increase is attributable to the addition of new stations, including a connection to the Orange métro line, which is expected to attract customers wishing to avoid crowded métro cars on this line.

The new REM cars and a few other improvements will add $140 million to the bill, which now exceeds $6 billion.

The expected amounts from Ottawa and Quebec, which make up about half of the costs, have not been announced, but CDPQ president Michael Sabia says the discussions are well under way and he is confident a deal will be reached.

In addition, the Caisse entered into an agreement with the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) to create a land trust to protect 30 hectares of farmland surrounding the REM terminal on the South Shore of Montreal.

This trust, to be managed by the UPA, will ensure the agricultural vocation of these lands for the future.