Le REM relie Brossard au centre-ville de Montréal en environ 18 minutes.
1. Three transit networks to know
In Brossard, three transit networks work together. The REM is the light metro linking Brossard to downtown Montreal in about 18 minutes. The RTL runs the local buses in Brossard and Longueuil. The OPUS card lets you pay on both networks and across the entire metropolitan system.
2. The REM — your fast link to Montreal
The REM opened in 2023. In Brossard, three stations connect you to the network: Brossard, Du Quartier and Panama. Trains run every 2 to 5 minutes during the week. Service runs from early morning to midnight, seven days a week.
3. The RTL — getting around Brossard
The RTL is the Réseau de transport de Longueuil. It runs more than 80 bus routes covering Brossard, Longueuil, Saint-Lambert, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville and Boucherville. Several Brossard routes feed into the REM stations, so you can easily combine both networks on a single fare.
4. The OPUS card and fare zones
Greater Montreal is split into fare zones managed by the ARTM, the regional transit authority.
Brossard is in Zone B. If you travel only inside Brossard or Longueuil, the ALL MODES B pass is enough. If you cross over to the island of Montreal by REM or bus, you need the ALL MODES AB pass.
The monthly pass becomes cheaper if you ride more than 25 times per month.
5. REM, RTL and fare zones at a glance
Here's a summary of the three networks that serve Brossard, with their main use, frequency, and the required pass.
The right reflex: if your trip stays in Zone B (Brossard or Longueuil), an ALL MODES B pass is enough. As soon as you cross to the island of Montreal — by REM or bus — you need the ALL MODES AB pass. The monthly pass becomes cheaper if you ride more than 25 times per month. All passes load onto an OPUS card.
| Network | Main use | Frequency / hours | Required pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| REM | Brossard ↔ downtown Montreal in ~18 min | Every 2-5 min, 7/7, until midnight | ALL MODES AB |
| RTL (local Brossard / Longueuil buses) | Travel inside Brossard and Longueuil | 80+ routes, varying frequency | ALL MODES B |
| RTL feeder to REM | Bus + REM combination toward Montreal | Routes feeding REM stations | ALL MODES AB |
| OPUS card | Payment carrier for all of the above | n/a | Photo card for reduced fares |
6. Where to get and reload your OPUS card
You can buy an OPUS card at the ticketing machines in Brossard's REM stations, at the Panama Terminus, or at the RTL service point.
Reloading works at the same places, at participating pharmacies and convenience stores, or online via the ARTM site. The photo OPUS card is required for reduced fares — students and people 65 and older.
7. Park and Ride at REM stations
If you live further out and drive to the REM, two Brossard stations offer free park-and-ride lots: Brossard and Panama. Spots fill up quickly on weekdays — arrive before 8 a.m. to be sure of getting a space. You can also bike there: secure bike racks are available.
8. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions from new Brossard residents about transit: how long to plan for downtown by REM, whether you can take your bike on the REM, which pass to buy for a single round-trip to Montreal, and what to do if the park-and-ride lot is full.
How long does it take to get downtown Montreal by REM?
From Brossard, the REM reaches downtown Montreal in about 18 minutes. Trains run every 2 to 5 minutes during the week, so the wait at the station is short.
From a Brossard REM station to a Gare Centrale exit, plan 25 to 30 minutes door to door including walking and waiting. By car at rush hour via the Samuel-De Champlain bridge, the same trip can take 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Most Brossard residents who work in Montreal use the REM.
Can you take your bike on the REM?
Yes, but with restrictions. Bikes are not allowed on the REM at rush hour. Off-peak — and all weekend — bikes are accepted.
The REM stations in Brossard also offer secure bike racks if you prefer to leave your bike and continue by train. The Samuel-De Champlain bridge bike path also lets you cross directly by bike during rush hour.
Which pass should I buy for a single round-trip to Montreal?
For an occasional round-trip, buy a 1-trip ALL MODES AB pass for each direction — A and B for the trip from Brossard (Zone B) to Montreal (Zone A).
The 1-trip pass is valid for about 2 hours with transfers, so a delayed round-trip counts as two separate passes. If you cross several times in the same week, the Weekly or monthly AB pass becomes more economical. As a rule of thumb, the monthly becomes worth it from about 25 trips per month.
What if the park-and-ride lot is full?
The park-and-ride lots at the Brossard and Panama REM stations fill quickly on weekdays. To be sure of getting a spot, arrive before 8 a.m.
If the lot is full, the alternatives are:
- Take an RTL bus that feeds the REM stations (no need to park your car)
- Get there by bike and use the secure bike racks
- Get dropped off at the kiss-and-ride zone at the station entrance
Avoid parking in surrounding streets — Brossard limits on-street parking near the stations to discourage spillover.
9. See also
To go further on mobility across Greater Montreal:
- Read using the Montreal metro and bus (STM) to understand the island side once off the REM.
- Get the BCITI Brossard card to activate the library, daycare and municipal leisure.
- Prepare outings with parks and outdoor activities in Brossard to reach parc de la Cité off-peak.
10. Official sources
For official, up-to-date information, see these pages:
You can also call RTL customer service at 450-463-0131.
Author's Note: For most Brossard residents working in Montreal, the REM is a game-changer. Get an OPUS card in your first week and try the rush-hour trip before your first day of work — you'll know exactly how much time to plan.
