On September 6, 2026, residents of Saint‑Lambert, a community on Montreal’s South Shore, filed a petition urging Via Rail to keep the local train station operational. The petition is intended to prevent a possible closure that could follow a proposal to build a new station at the Longueuil airport.
The effort was organized by a Saint‑Lambert citizen and has gathered signatures from multiple local residents. The petition was submitted to Via Rail’s regional office, where the railway company is currently reviewing a request to construct a station at the Longueuil airport. This review has sparked concern among community members that the new facility may make the existing Saint‑Lambert stop redundant.
Via Rail has not yet issued a final decision on the airport‑station proposal. Its evaluation includes analysis of passenger demand, operational costs, and overall network impact. The Saint‑Lambert station currently serves both commuter and intercity trains as part of the South Shore rail corridor linking the area to downtown Montreal and other destinations.
Opponents of the potential closure argue that the existing station provides essential direct service to key locations and that a new airport station may not offer the same level of convenience. Their petition emphasizes worries about longer travel times, reduced connectivity, and the effect on daily commuters who rely on the Saint‑Lambert stop.
The final outcome of Via Rail’s review will determine whether the Saint‑Lambert station remains open or is closed in favor of the proposed Longueuil airport station. The petition remains open for additional signatures as the railway continues its assessment.