The Alstom-driven conglomerate, Groupe des Partenaires pour la Mobilité des Montréalais, in association with SNC Lavalin, has signed an agreement with CDPQ Infra. The deal apparently is aimed at providing an automated light metro technology for REM venture in Montreal. Incidentally, the group will also offer operation & maintenance services along with rolling stock and signaling solutions to the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) Project.
For the record, the deal worth is estimated to be around CA $2.8 billion, with Alstom’s revenue share projected at CA $2.2 billion and SNC Lavalin’s revenue share anticipated at CA $600 million. After the completion of the project, REM is expected to be one of the biggest automated transportation networks – 67 km in length having 26 stations.
As per reports, this network will connect Montreal to South Shore, the West Island, North Shore, and Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport. As per the terms & conditions stated in the agreement, the consortium led by Alstom will provide nearly 106 two-car trainsets and the Alstom firm’s Urbalis 400 self-driven & automatic communications train control system along with Iconis control center services. Reports cite that the group will also handle train & system integration trials as well as the supply of depot instrument for train maintenance activities of the REM venture. The commencement of the commercial service on the first section of the venture is likely to be in 2021.
The construction & thirty-year operations & maintenance phase undertaken by the Alstom Group will help in the creation of permanent & high-quality jobs for locals as well as technology experts. It has been anticipated that there will be recruitments for automated system professionals, maintenance operators, rolling stock mechanics, system control experts, and control center regulators. The project will also provide employment to regional suppliers, who are expected to contribute towards the REM venture during the construction stage as well as the operations & maintenance activities span. Reportedly, Groupe will make 67% of its investments in Quebec.