TTC awards Alstom $2.3B for 70 new subway trains-Thunder Bay assembly, major Canadian jobs TORONTO / THUNDER BAY – The Toronto Transit Commission has given Alstom a $2.3 billion contract to provide a new fleet of 70 six-car Metropolis metro trains. This agreement will see the final assembly take place in Thunder Bay and testing conducted in Kingston. It’s being highlighted by governments as a key step in Canada’s developing “Buy Canadian” procurement strategy. Alstom mentions that the contract also includes options for up to 150 additional trainsets as future needs arise.
Replacing Line 2 trains-and adding capacity for extensions
According to Alstom, 55 out of the 70 trains are meant to replace the old fleet on Toronto’s Line 2, while the other 15 will be used for capacity related to the Line 2 Scarborough extension and the Line 1 Yonge North extension. The aim of this deal is to modernize an essential transit route: City News reports that the current Line 2 fleet is over 30 years old and nearing its end.“Built in Canada” and why Thunder Bay matters
Alstom states that the trains will be designed and engineered right here in Canada, with final assembly happening in Thunder Bay and testing done in Kingston. They expect this work will generate up to 945 direct jobs across the country, along with more than 1,700 indirect jobs associated with suppliers and supporting industries. The federal government announced this project-made in Thunder Bay-as the first investment under their Buy Canadian Policy, stressing that these new trains will be fully assembled in Canada using at least 55% Canadian content. Alstom plans to rely on an expanded local supply chain as well, including using Canadian carbon steel and aluminum.Funding boosted: Ottawa and Ontario raise contributions
In a news release, Ottawa shared that both federal and Ontario governments are raising their investments from $758 million to $950 million for acquiring 55 new Line 2 trains, specifying that the federal portion amounts to $950.9 million. Additionally, the federal release connects this deal with long-term transit funding expectations; TTC is projected to receive up to $1.2 billion over ten years (2026-2036) via the Canada Public Transit Fund’s baseline stream starting April 2026.What the new trains will look and feel like
Alstom indicates that these New Subway Trains are crafted to enhance comfort, safety, and accessibility. Key features include open gangways, multi-purpose areas suitable for wheelchairs/strollers/bikes, energy-efficient lighting, wireless smartphone charging options, along with cybersecurity protections. The province has released images of what these trains will look like; they describe them as high-capacity vehicles built to carry up to 1,100 passengers.Why the contract was controversial-and why it proceeded
Industry reports highlight that TTC had previously canceled competitive bidding processes and shifted towards a negotiated approach; this was characterized as awarding work only capable of being done by one company able to produce trainsets within Canada-linked directly back to domestic capabilities and procurement policies.What happens next
Now that both contract value and manufacturing plans are public knowledge, details about delivery schedules remain unclear. Trains. com reported comments from Alstom’s Michael Keroullé stating it might take around two years for development and design approval; City News added that we can expect first trains entering service later this decade.
TTC Streetcar built in Thunder Bay
A familiar TTC-Thunder Bay pipeline This subway deal comes at a time when Alstom completes another milestone for TTC: they recently delivered their last vehicle from a previous order of sixty streetcars placed back in twenty twenty-one; those LRVs were made right there in Thunder Bay (with support coming from La Pocatière , Quebec).
For Thunder Bay , it’s simple : Toronto ’ s transit upgrade story also highlights local manufacturing success-one generating real payrolls , supplier contracts , and long-term industrial impacts.
[ad_ ]Sourcelink
