Bombardier to supply BiLevel commuter rail cars to Metrolinx. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.
Metrolinx, the transportation agency for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), has exercised options worth US$328 million to purchase an additional 125 next-generation BOMBARDIER BiLevel commuter rail cars from Bombardier Transportation. Production is scheduled to start in Thunder Bay in the second quarter of 2018, with final delivery expected in the 2020 first quarter.
“Bombardier is Thunder Bay’s largest private sector employer,” stated Bill Mauro, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Atikokan. “This investment, the latest in a long series of investments by our government in mass transit will help ensure that a significant workforce remains at Bombardier contributing greatly to the economy of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.”
The newest generation of BiLevel coach features upgrades to door and air conditioning systems, and increased energy efficiency.
The additional cars will be used on Toronto's GO Transit, supporting its overall service expansion plan to meet ridership growth. In GTHA, Bombardier maintains and operates GO Transit’s commuter train fleet, the largest commuter rail system in Canada.
"We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Ontario,” said Benoît Brossoit, president, Bombardier Transportation, Americas Region. “By providing industry-leading performance with our rail vehicles and services, Bombardier has been an ally in the development of public transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for over 20 years. Today, with our manufacturing sites and thousands of local employees, our commitment to Ontario remains as strong as ever.”
In Ontario, Bombardier employs a workforce of close to 6,000 employees and has three manufacturing sites, which are located in Thunder Bay, Kingston, and Downsview.
“This is exciting news for Bombardier and our region,” remarked Michael Gravelle, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North. “Investments like this, will create jobs and keep people right here in Thunder Bay working and our community strong for years to come.”