Alstom to Overhaul 181 Metrolinx Commuter Rail Cars in Ontario
Alstom has signed a framework agreement with Metrolinx to overhaul and modernize 181 Bi-Level commuter rail cars for service in Ontario, Canada. The contract is valued at approximately 500 million CAD and will support around 250 jobs.
Alstom will overhaul and modernize 181 Bi-Level commuter rail cars for Metrolinx, the regional public transit service for Ontario, Canada. The framework agreement is valued at approximately 500 million Canadian dollars (about 340 million euros).
The overhaul and modernization work will focus on the Bi-Level Series VIII cars, originally built between 2008 and 2015. The project is scheduled to begin in 2026 at Alstom's facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This initiative is expected to support approximately 250 high-skilled jobs in Thunder Bay until at least 2030.
Improvements to the rail cars will include updated interiors featuring power outlets with USB ports, new paneling and flooring, replacement seating, modernized accessible lavatories, and energy-efficient LED lighting. These upgrades aim to enhance the passenger experience for GO Transit users in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
The agreement extends Alstom's long-standing relationship with Metrolinx, which spans nearly 50 years of providing rolling stock, signaling, maintenance, and operational services in Ontario. Alstom is already undertaking refurbishment of 94 Series VII bi-level cars and has maintained GO Transit's fleet for over 25 years.
This project is part of Metrolinx's broader plan to increase the speed and frequency of its rail services in response to regional growth. The modernized cars are intended to support these service enhancements, alleviate congestion, and improve overall customer satisfaction.