Tracing the history of the Mascouche line
Article published on April 15, 2025
Credit: Dépatis P.
One of Mascouche’s former train stations. This photo was taken in the 1950s.
Also known as Line 15, the Mascouche Line is part of the Greater Montreal commuter rail network. It connects the North Shore with downtown, serving the cities of Repentigny and Terrebonne, as well as several neighbourhoods in the north and east ends of the island. Riders can also transfer to the Montreal metro at two different stations. The line is operated by exo.
A railway fit for the Bourgeoisie
The train line connecting Montreal and Quebec City via the North Shore was inaugurated in the winter of 1879 by the Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa and Occidental Railway (QMOO), a company created by the Quebec government. This new rail corridor aimed to meet the demands of Quebec City’s bourgeoisie, who wanted a North Shore connection between the province’s two major cities—while also boosting trade and agriculture in the region. The route began at Saint-Martin Junction on Île Jésus, passed through Terrebonne and Mascouche, continued on to L’Épiphanie, Lanoraie, and Trois-Rivières, before arriving at the Gare du Palais in Quebec City.
The decline of passenger service
In 1958, Canadian Pacific significantly cut back its passenger service, leading to the closure of several stations—including Mascouche. From that moment, only one train would stop there, and only on Sunday evenings, to bring travellers back to Montreal. By 1962, that final stop was removed, and the Mascouche station was soon demolished.
Line 15 today
The Mascouche station as it stands today.
In response to rapid population growth in Montreal’s northeast, Quebec Premier Jean Charest announced the creation of a new commuter rail service in 2006.
Launched on December 1, 2014, the Mascouche line quickly proved its value. Within just five years, it was carrying over 11,000 passengers a day from the northeastern suburbs to downtown Montréal—in just 65 minutes. A game-changer for commuters, the line has become a vital link for fast-growing communities along the route.
| Route length | 52 km |
|---|---|
| Stations | 11 |
| Daily departures | 16 |
| Annual ridership | 399,177 |
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