Getting Around Terrebonne
Terrebonne is a suburb of Montreal on the city's north shore, and its public transit is provided by Exo, Greater Montreal's regional train and bus network. The hub for local and regional services is Terminus Terrebonne at 4800, chemin Côte-Terrebonne. For a visitor, the practical picture is simple: Exo trains and buses connect Terrebonne with Montreal and neighbouring communities, while a car is often the most efficient option for getting around the north shore itself.
Rail: The Exo Mascouche Line
The rail backbone for Terrebonne is the Exo Mascouche line, which connects the area to downtown Montreal and terminates at Central Station. Terrebonne station, at 4000 boul. Marcel-Therrien, sits on this line, and the nearby Mascouche station at 1450, avenue de la Gare in Mascouche is the line's terminus. The Mascouche line also serves stations in the surrounding area, including Sainte-Thérèse.
Service is concentrated at rush hour, with departures several times an hour during the morning and late-afternoon peaks. Outside those windows, service thins considerably: late evenings may see roughly one departure per hour or less, and weekend service is light, sometimes only a few trains per day. Off-peak return trips can mean waiting up to an hour for the next train. If your plans involve atypical hours, an Exo bus or a car can be a more reliable backup.
Each station has free park-and-ride for Exo pass holders, and these lots are central to how the network is used: drive to the station, leave the vehicle, and take the train or bus onward. The lot at Exo Mascouche station is heavily used, and spaces near departure times often fill early in the morning.
Buses and Connections
Exo also runs several bus routes covering Terrebonne and the north shore, and local MRCLM buses connect to the rail stations. Terrebonne station is served by MRCLM buses 140 and 440, while Mascouche station is served by MRCLM buses 2, 403, 417, 418, and 427.
From Montreal, two common transit approaches reach Terrebonne. One is to take Metro Line 2 to Montmorency, then Exo bus #19 to 25/Ile St-Jean — roughly a 45-minute trip, with the bus running frequently. The other is to take Metro Line 1 to Radisson, then Exo bus #30 to the Terrebonne terminus — about an hour, with hourly service.
Which mode makes sense depends on where you are going. For downtown Montreal, the Mascouche train from Terrebonne station is the simplest option. For Montreal's east end or Laval, certain Exo express bus routes can be more direct than the train. For the north suburbs or Lanaudière, a car is almost always more efficient, since the network is oriented toward Montreal.
Tickets, Fares and the OPUS Card
Greater Montreal is divided into fare zones managed by ARTM, and Terrebonne sits in Zone C. A trip from Terrebonne to downtown Montreal requires the ALL MODES ABC pass. Note that an ALL MODES A pass covers only the island of Montreal and is not valid for Terrebonne — boarding in Zone C with an A pass risks a fine during inspection.
The OPUS card is the standard fare medium. You can buy one at ticketing machines in Exo stations, or at participating pharmacies and convenience stores, and you can reload it online through the ARTM site. A photo OPUS card is required for reduced fares. ARTM machines display which zone each product covers, and you can verify the zone of a given address on the ARTM website. Fares are set by zone and pass type and are adjusted yearly, so it is worth confirming current prices at artm.quebec before you travel. As a general rule, a monthly pass pays off once you are making a substantial number of trips per month.
Children 11 and under, accompanied by an adult, ride free on most networks.
Service Disruptions
Exo posts delays and interruptions in real time on the Chrono app and on exo.quebec. For short delays, waiting on the platform is usually the advised course. For longer interruptions, Exo sometimes deploys replacement buses, though trips can stretch well beyond normal. Alternatives include carpooling, taking an STM bus to Henri-Bourassa metro and continuing on the orange line, or simply postponing the trip. The Mascouche line has experienced disruptions linked to REM construction in past years, so it is worth checking Exo's notices section at peak times.
By Car
Autoroute 25 runs through the east end of Montreal north to Terrebonne, a drive of about 25 minutes. For a visitor whose plans centre on Terrebonne and the surrounding north shore rather than downtown Montreal, a car is generally the most practical way to get around. It is also worth weighing against the cost of downtown parking, which runs high by the month, if you are considering a park-and-ride arrangement instead.
Getting There from the Airport
The practical route is to reach Montreal first and then continue by Exo. From downtown, the Mascouche train from Terrebonne station runs to Central Station in about an hour at rush hour; add a short wait plus the walk from the lot to the platform, and more if you are continuing by metro or STM bus. Door-to-door between Terrebonne and downtown Montreal generally runs about 60 to 75 minutes depending on the time of day.
Quick Practical Notes
- Local transit hub: Terminus Terrebonne, 4800, chemin Côte-Terrebonne.
- Rail: Exo Mascouche line; Terrebonne station at 4000 boul. Marcel-Therrien; Mascouche station is the terminus.
- Station buses: MRCLM 140 and 440 at Terrebonne station; MRCLM 2, 403, 417, 418 and 427 at Mascouche station.
- From Montreal: Metro Line 2 to Montmorency then Exo bus #19, or Metro Line 1 to Radisson then Exo bus #30.
- Fares: Terrebonne is Zone C; a downtown trip needs the ALL MODES ABC pass. Buy or reload an OPUS card at station machines, pharmacies or convenience stores, or online via ARTM.
- Children 11 and under ride free on most networks when accompanied by an adult.
- Check real-time status on the Chrono app or exo.quebec before travelling at peak times.