TTC
The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto have given the TTC the go-ahead to pursue a single-source contract for new Line 2 subway trains with Alstom Transport Canada Inc., which has facilities in Quebec and Ontario, including in Thunder Bay, Brampton, and Kingston.
“In the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty, this decision will support Canadian and Ontario workers with good manufacturing jobs and ensure reliable trains for Toronto transit riders,” the agency said in a press release.
The current competitive process for the trains has been cancelled, and all bidders have been notified.
“To ensure that Alstom delivers state-of-the-art trains at a fair market price, maximizes the creation of Canadian jobs, and benefits Toronto,” Alstom, according to TTC, must:
- “Deliver a product that is compliant with the TTC’s original requirements.
- “Maximize Canadian content and create Canadian jobs.
- “Have its pricing subject to an independent third-party market price assessment.”
It is expected, the agency says, that negotiations will occur over the next few months with a report back to the TTC Board on the status of negotiations by the end of the year.
The base procurement is for 70 six-car train sets in total: 55 trains, jointly funded by the federal, provincial and city governments to replace aging trains on Line 2; and 15 trains for the Yonge North and Scarborough extensions. The contract would include options to procure additional trains to meet future needs when funding is committed and subject to Alstom’s performance.
“The TTC is working diligently to ensure the aging Line 2 fleet operates safely and reliably until new trains arrive,” the agency said.
According to a CBC report, the Ford government had expressed its “desire to see the train cars built in the province amid the ongoing trade war with the U.S.” All three levels of government have committed money to buy the new rolling stock, which is expected to cost some $2.3 billion, according to the report.
“To build the strongest economy in the G7, we need to ensure our investments are protecting jobs and championing industries right here in Canada. By partnering with Ontario, Toronto and the TTC, we are delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable public transit, and supporting good-paying jobs in Canada. We can all feel proud that these trains will be built for Canadians by Canadians,” said Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson.
“I would like to thank our funding partners for their support of our new subway trains. With the intention of maximizing Canadian content and supporting Canadian jobs, we will enter into negotiations with Alstom to secure the best product at the best price,” said TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali.
In related news, Unifor on Aug. 15 issued a release stating that the union “is very pleased to see that all three levels of government have confirmed that TTC subway trains will be manufactured at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay, securing jobs for workers represented by Unifor Local 1075.”
“This is a great victory. Unifor fought long and hard to get the federal, provincial and municipal governments to get on board and support a Made-in-Canada solution,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We must use our Canadian procurement dollars to support Canadian workers and Canadian-made products, especially given the current trade war.”
“This decision to formally award this contract to Alstom speaks volumes with respect to how we must support Canadian workers, local industries, economies and communities. We need to see more of this if we are to build a more resilient Canadian economy,” added Payne.
The Alstom sole-source construction contract means Unifor members will build the 70 six-car trains.
“This is the right move to bolster Canada’s economy by creating sustainable, good-paying jobs right here in Ontario,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi.
In January, Ontario committed to spend nearly $500 million to refurbish 181 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches, which is expected to support hundreds of jobs for at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay, according to the union.
“We are excited and ready to build the subways of the future,” said Unifor Local 1075 President Justin Roberts. “Reliable, sturdy and resilient—the way today’s announcement has contributed to the working lives of our members.”
SEPTA
With no state funding commitment in place SEPTA says it must move forward with 20% service reductions and a 21.5% fare increase. On Aug. 24, vehicles across the agency’s Bus and Metro network will run less frequently and with 32 fewer bus routes. On Sept. 1 base transit fares will rise to $2.90 and Regional Rail fares will increase by 21.5%. Regional Rail service cuts begin Sept. 2.
State lawmakers, the agency says, are still negotiating a budget for Pennsylvania and funding for SEPTA is still on the table. “If that funding is approved—we will work as quickly as possible to reverse the service cuts, but it would take time for us to do so,” SEPTA said in a press release.
The service cuts are the first of several steps SEPTA will take this year to fill a $213 million budget deficit—absent a legislative solution. Additional measures include a second wave of service cuts on Jan. 1, 2026, that include the elimination of five Regional Rail Lines, a 9 p.m. curfew on all rail services, and the elimination of 18 additional bus routes to achieve an overall 45% reduction in service.
“We understand that these measures will cause great hardship for our riders and for the city and Southeastern region as a whole. These cuts are new territory for all of us. We will keep fighting to bring service back and deliver the SEPTA that our riders, city, and region deserve,” the agency said.
REM
REM, Montreal’s light rail network is set to begin moving passengers again after a six-week summer shutdown, according to a CTV News report.
According to the report, the REM has been completely offline for commercial use since July 5 to test new extensions to Montreal’s North Shore and West Island. It is scheduled to start operating for the rush hour commute next week.
