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March 20, 2026|Passenger

Toronto Commuter Operating Contract Extension Signed

Written by Robert Preston, Associate Editor, International Railway Journal
(Courtesy of Alstom)
(Courtesy of Alstom)
The contract with Alstom includes maintenance of the GO Transit and UP Express fleets.

Alstom has signed a five-year extension to its operations and fleet maintenance contract for the GO Transit commuter network and UP Express airport service in Toronto, Canada.

The contract, which will run until 2031, was awarded by Ontario public transport agency Metrolinx. It is worth $C1.3 billion ($947.9 million).

Alstom currently deploys nearly 1,300 staffers to operate and provide fleet maintenance for GO Transit and the UP Express service connecting Union station with Toronto Pearson International Airport. GO Transit commuter services recorded 117,020 passenger-journeys in 2024-25 and UP Express 56,494, achieving more than 97% punctuality on infrastructure shared with other operators, according to Alstom.

Alstom became a contractor to Metrolinx through the 2021 acquisition of Bombardier Transportation, which in 1997 was awarded the current contract to maintain 96 diesel locomotives, 979 double-deck cars and 18 DMUs. In 2007, Bombardier also became responsible for operations, employing drivers, conductors, and customer service staff.

Metrolinx has extended the contract with Alstom following the announcement last year of the end of its partnership with the ONxpress Operations, comprising Aecon Concessions and DB International Operations, that was due to have operated and maintained the GO Transit network under a 23-year contract starting on Jan. 1, 2025. No reason was given for terminating the agreement.

ONxpress Operations formed part of ONxpress Transportation Partners, which in 2022 was appointed by Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario to deliver the GO Expansion program that is now under way. The program includes work to increase capacity as well as electrification and resignaling with ETCS Level 1.