Vaudreuil-Hudson line: Exo says ridership could dip by up to 20 per cent [Video]

The head of Montreal’s commuter train operator, Exo, says once the REM begins running in the West Island, the Vaudreuil-Hudson train line will see a 15-20 per cent decrease in ridership.

“Some of them will switch for the REM,” said Sylvain Yelle, Exo’s general manager. “It will make more options for the users of the west of Montreal.”

The Vaudreuil-Hudson line serves several West Island communities and off-island suburbs. Exo says, for now, there are no plans to decrease service.

“Especially for the Vaudreuil-Hudson line, it’s the most popular line. It will still run and it will still respond to the needs of people who live in the West Island,” Yelle said.

It’s little comfort for public transport advocates with Trajectoire Quebec who worry a decrease in ridership will mean less funding and a cut in service.

“The REM is only weakening the power of attraction of those train lines. …