The contract is expected to be signed and booked during fourth-quarter FY 2024/25, with work to begin in 2026 at Alstom’s Thunder Bay, Ontario plant, supporting some 250 employees until at least 2030, according to the railcar manufacturer.
Improvements to the bilevels, which were built between 2008 and 2015, will include the installation of updated electrical outlets with USB ports, updates to paneling (walls and ceilings) and flooring, replacement of customer seating, new accessible lavatories, energy-saving LED lighting, new doors, and new HVAC control systems. The overhaul project will extend the railcars’ service life by 20 years. In addition, Alstom noted, it “will ensure Metrolinx has the rail fleet available to support service enhancements, including the ongoing GO Expansion program (for which Alstom is also a selected partner),” which aims to deliver two-way, all-day service to Oshawa, Burlington, Kitchener, Stouffville, and Barrie.
GO Transit’s 979 bilevels were built in Alstom’s (formerly Bombardier Transportation’s) Thunder Bay facility between 1978 and 2021. In 2021, Metrolinx selected Alstom to refurbish 94 Series VII bilevels.
“We thank the government of Ontario and Metrolinx for their renewed trust and confidence and for recognizing the unique expertise of our team in Thunder Bay, who are the best positioned to upgrade cars they originally manufactured,” said Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas. “We are proud to continue delivering a refreshed and modernized fleet with state-of-the-art passenger amenities to enhance the experience of transit users in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.”
“Extending the life of these coaches is a vital part of our plan for faster and more frequent GO rail service, supporting the demands of our rapidly growing region,” Metrolinx Interim President and CEO Michael Lindsay said. “With industry-leading amenities on board, these revived coaches will ensure a comfortable and enjoyable customer journey for years to come.”
“On behalf of the City of Thunder Bay, I want to extend our most sincere thanks to the Ontario government for this transformative [C]$500 million investment in our community,” added Ken Boshcoff, Mayor of Thunder Bay. “By choosing the Alstom plant for refurbishing GO Transit rail coaches, the province is not only supporting hundreds of local jobs but also reinforcing Thunder Bay’s reputation as a hub for manufacturing excellence. This commitment will deliver meaningful economic benefits to our city, strengthen our local industries, and create a bright future for families and businesses in Thunder Bay.”
“This investment extends the life of the manufacturing facility in Thunder Bay and introduces some near-term stability for hundreds of Unifor [Local 1075] members and their families,” Unifor National President Lana Payne said.
