MONTRÉAL, Dec. 16, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - CDPQ Infra announced today a series of partnership that will allow future REM users to access stations through diverse and complementary means of transportation, thereby offering concrete and viable alternatives to single-passenger car use. Inspired by the MaaS (Mobility as a Service) movement, the integrated mobility options to be implemented around REM stations will include active transportation (BIXI, bicycle), car-sharing and carpooling services (car2go and Netlift), and electric taxis (Téo Taxi). Tailored to the needs of users and the context of each station, these new services will be added to the public transit networks currently being optimized and will result in easier and more enjoyable commutes in the Greater Montréal area.
With roots in Scandinavia, the MaaS movement seeks to change travel habits by reducing the number of personal vehicles on the road and increasing the use of public transit and shared vehicles. This modern, sustainable vision of transportation is in line with the spirit of innovation that has driven the REM project since it was first announced.
"Our intention is to improve mobility globally in the metropolitan area. To do this, it's not enough to carry passengers in a new LRT. We also need to draw on global best practices and offer practical ways to access stations through active, shared or public transportation. Sustainable mobility does not begin at the station but at home, in the first and last kilometer of travel. The announcement we are making today is an important step in this direction," said Macky Tall, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDPQ Infra.
Partnerships that multiply complementary service options
The agreements announced today will offer REM users a wide variety of efficient transportation options to travel to and from stations.
BIXI
CDPQ Infra has entered into an agreement with BIXI to conduct an exhaustive analysis of the potential deployment of BIXI stations over the entire REM network (number of BIXI stations across the 67-km network, number of bikes, etc.). Currently, 50% of BIXI trips on the Island of Montréal connect with another transit system. REM users could similarly benefit from a self-service bike option to access stations or their final destination. Through the REM, the BIXI network could significantly increase its presence across the Greater Montréal area.
"BIXI MONTRÉAL is very proud of this collaboration, through which the potential of deploying BIXI stations along the REM network will be analyzed. This involvement confirms BIXI's increasingly important place within Montréal's transportation landscape. We take integrated mobility particularly seriously and we hope to facilitate people's commute by promoting transport intermodality in Montréal," said Marie Elaine Farley, President of BIXI MONTRÉAL.
Netlift
CDPQ Infra has also announced an agreement with Netlift to share data and promote carpooling solutions to and from REM stations. The Québec company, of which la Caisse has been a partner since the spring of 2016, already offers an application for daily carpooling combining the car and public transit. Netlift allows for much greater accessibility to train stations at peak times by targeting the free space in cars headed for the REM. Its mobile application will also allow CDPQ Infra to use highly relevant data to plan the network, schedules and parking.
"Our partnership with CDPQ Infra is a natural one, because our intermodal carpooling technology has garnered attention in many cities around the world (Toronto, Mexico City, Lyon) where intermodality issues are already very advanced. The REM will transform Montréal into a cutting-edge metropolis focused on smart transportation, and we are very enthusiastic about participating in this project," said Marc-Antoine Ducas, President of Netlift.
Téo Taxi
CDPQ Infra also entered into an agreement with Téo Taxi to expand the electric taxi company's area of operation in the metropolitan region, including by reserving parking spots with electric charging stations for Téo Taxi cars in the vicinity of certain REM stations.
"Téo Taxi is pleased to partner with CPDQ Infra and offer a green transport option that will promote access to the REM stations. CDPQ Infra demonstrates its commitment to implement an integrated and impactful solution that will accelerate economic development in the Greater Montréal area. A project of such importance deserves to see all of Montréal's critical constituencies get involved," said Alexandre Taillefer, Chief Executive Officer of Téo Taxi, Senior Partner of XPND Capital.
car2go
CDPQ Infra has entered into an agreement with car2go to allow certain REM stations to feature the car-sharing service. As with BIXI, most trips taken with car2go on the Island of Montréal also involve public transit as the starting point or destination. CDPQ Infra is evaluating the possibility of reserving parking spots for car2go cars in the vicinity of REM stations. Because car2go vehicles are so small, two can fit into one regular spot, thereby optimizing space. For car2go, this collaboration would allow for a significant expansion of service in the metropolitan area.
"We are very proud to join the REM project and therefore maximize transport options for all residents of the metropolitan region," said Jérémi Lavoie, General Manager of car2go Montréal.
Vélo Québec
CDPQ Infra has also commissioned Vélo Québec to carry out an in-depth study of bicycle parking needs at each REM station. CDPQ Infra is therefore following through with its commitment to promote active transportation to the REM by planning for a sufficient number of appropriate, quality bicycle infrastructure. The analysis will also identify safe, efficient routes for cyclists within REM corridors.
About the REM
The Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM) is a new, integrated 67-km public transit network intended to link downtown Montréal, the South Shore, the West Island (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue), the North Shore (Laval and Deux-Montagnes) and the airport through the operation of an entirely automated and electric light rail transit (LRT) system. For more information.
About CDPQ Infra
CDPQ Infra aims to effectively and efficiently carry out major public infrastructure projects. Established in 2015, CDPQ Infra invests for the long term in tangible assets that generate stable, predictable returns for depositors of Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec. It is a subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec (cdpq.com), one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers. For more information on CDPQ Infra, visit cdpqinfra.com, follow us on Twitter @CDPQInfra or consult our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
About BIXI Montréal
BIXI MONTRÉAL is a non-profit organization created by Ville de Montréal to manage the bike-sharing system in Montréal. The network has 5,200 bikes and 460 stations in Montréal, Longueuil and Westmount.
About Netlift
Netlift is a unique application in the world of multimodal carpooling, connecting car rides with public transit travel, which helps workers and students simplify their daily commute. Accessible via the web and by cell phone, Netlift puts passengers in contact with drivers willing to provide space in their vehicle – for a few dollars a trip. It recently won the top prize and the public choice award as part of nnoBahn, an event organized by the Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain (CCMM) and Ubisoft.
About Téo Taxi
Téo Taxi is reinventing the taxi industry's business model. Relying on sustainable development principles, Téo Taxi uses a fleet of totally electric vehicles and provides its professional drivers with a guaranteed salary. Through an advanced mobile application and intensive use of information technologies, Téo Taxi offered exceptional service to Montrealers. teomtl.com.
About car2go
Car2go offers an innovative, self-serve carsharing solution, for one-way trips using eco-friendly Smart vehicles. Today, car2go's global operation is the largest, fastest-growing carsharing service in the world, with two million registered members in eight countries. It has been shown that by providing an alternative to solo driving, each car2go vehicle reduces the number of vehicles on the road by between 7 and 11.
About Vélo Québec
Vélo Québec is a non-profit organization that has been a rallying force in the Quebec cycling community since 1967. Its mission is to promote the bicycle as an accessible means of transportation, recreation and tourism for all. Vélo Québec is recognized nationally and internationally as an authority on active transportation. In 2017, Vélo Québec will celebrate 50 years of cycling action.
SOURCE CDPQ Infra Inc.
Jean-Vincent Lacroix, Director, Media Relations, +1 514 847 2896, [email protected]
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