![“We are honored that VRE has once again placed its trust in Keolis,” Keolis President and CEO Brad Thomas said. “This [contract] renewal underscores the operational excellence our teams deliver each day, and we remain committed to the highest standards of safety, reliability, and customer service as we support the DMV [District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia] region’s mobility needs.” (VRE Photograph)](https://www.v2.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/vre-1.png.avif)
VRE
Keolis on Jan. 27 reported landing a new commuter rail operations and maintenance contract from VRE, which runs from the Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City, and downtown Washington, D.C., along the I-66 and I-95 corridors (see map above). It follows a competitive procurement process.
Keolis has been serving VRE since 2010, maintaining operations for 32 weekday trains over two lines that span 90 route miles. The VRE fleet of 20 diesel locomotives and 100 passenger railcars is operated by more than 100 Keolis employees, performing equipment, facilities, and lifecycle maintenance.
“Keolis has [had] an exemplary safety record during its tenure at VRE with no train accidents and multiple work units achieving a decade or more of injury-free service,” said the company that provides public transit services throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail. “Additionally, since 2015 Keolis has maintained ISO 9001 certification at VRE, which underscores its commitment to continuous improvement toward the highest quality and safety standards.”
The renewed contract commences in July 2026 and has the potential to expand to 15 years. Keolis said it will continue VRE train operations and equipment maintenance, as well as select facilities maintenance and lifecycle maintenance services.
“We are honored that VRE has once again placed its trust in Keolis,” Keolis President and CEO Brad Thomas said. “This [contract] renewal underscores the operational excellence our teams deliver each day, and we remain committed to the highest standards of safety, reliability, and customer service as we support the DMV [District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia] region’s mobility needs.”
Further Reading:
- Katie Choe to Lead VRE (Part of People News)
- VRE Adopts System Plan 2050 (Part of Transit Briefs)
- Skanska JV, VPRA Sign Contract to Build Long Bridge North in Washington, D.C.
Metrolinx
The first phase of construction has begun for GO Transit’s Bowmanville Extension project, the Ontario government reported Jan. 27. The project will extend the Lakeshore East GO line 11.6 miles (18.7 kilometers) past its current service terminus in Oshawa and into Durham Region. It will include four stations at Thornton’s Corners East, Ritson Road, Courtice, and Bowmanville (see map above). Once complete, the government said, the Bowmanville Extension will deliver two-way, all-day service, and run every half hour during peak periods, hourly during off-peak periods, and every two hours on weekends. It is slated to accommodate 17,000 daily trips and 4.9 million boardings annually by 2041.
The first construction phase includes rebuilding and modifying bridges along the corridor, relocating utilities, and making improvements at the Durham College Oshawa GO Station and the adjacent VIA Rail building. Early works began in spring 2025 and included tree clearing, geotechnical investigations along the corridor, and the installation of a new water main in Oshawa, according to the Ontario government.
Metrolinx in 2023 selected Bowmanville Construction Partners, a joint venture of Ledcor CMI Ltd. and Dragados Canada Inc., as construction manager for the Bowmanville Extension project.
