Real estate developers in Montreal are contributing a royalty to fund the construction of a planned Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) station in Griffintown, even though the station has not yet been built. The payment is intended to finance the eventual development of the rapid‑transit stop that is part of the city’s expanding REM network.
The agreement between the developers and the REM authority requires the private sector to provide financial support for the station. This arrangement comes as the REM network has experienced delays in opening the Griffintown station, pushing back the timetable for the project's completion.
The royalty collected from the developers will be directed toward the construction costs associated with the station. By securing these funds early, the REM authority aims to ensure that the necessary resources are available when construction begins, despite the current postponement.
Griffintown, a neighbourhood in Montreal, Quebec, has been slated for a new REM station that will connect the area to the broader rapid‑transit system. While the station remains unbuilt, the financial contribution from developers reflects a commitment to the infrastructure that will serve future residents and businesses.
The developers' payments are part of a broader strategy to involve private investment in public transit projects. By paying the royalty, the developers are helping to offset the financial burden on the public sector and to accelerate the eventual delivery of the station.
The REM authority has not provided a revised opening date for the Griffintown station, but the ongoing collection of developer fees signals that the project remains a priority within the network’s expansion plans.