Metrolinx strikes deal to buy dozens of new train cars for GO
Agreement will see 36 more bi-level cars bought from Bombardier Transportation’s Ontario plant.
Sep 11, 2019
Metrolinx has reached an agreement with Bombardier Transportation to purchase 36 additional bi-level rail cars for use by GO Transit.
A Sept. 10 announcement noted the contract extension will see the cars built at Bombardier’s Thunder Bay plant, and include 31 standard as well as five accessible cars. Combined, they will add more than 6,000 new seats for GO Transit customers.
Bombardier has built the bi-level cars in Thunder Bay for more than 40 years.
GO Transit has operated Bombardier bi-level rail cars for more than two decades.
The order for the additional cars comes after recent changes by Metrolinx to increase train options for GO customers. Since June 2018, almost 20 per cent more service has been added to weekly train trips on Lakeshore East, Lakeshore West, Barrie, Kitchener and Stouffville lines.
Among the advancements offered up in the new cars – expected to start rolling out in fall of 2020 – will be a real-time data system that will quickly find potential problems.
“This is great news for our customers. More bi-level cars allow us to add seat capacity as we continue to rapidly expand GO train service,” said Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster.
“In addition, trains with improved on-board diagnostic tools allows us to improve customer experience and generate savings on maintenance, which is great for our business, and which will keep more trains performing at peak service levels for our customers.”
