The Ontario government is investing nearly $500 million to refurbish 181 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay. This investment is part of the ongoing service expansion across the GO rail network and will support hundreds of manufacturing jobs and economic prosperity in northwestern Ontario.
"As Ontario continues to grow, our government is investing in made-in-Ontario solutions to ensure our public transit network grows with it," said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. "The refurbishing of the bi-level rail coaches will inject millions of dollars into creating and maintaining good jobs in northwestern Ontario, while supporting the largest transit expansion in Canadian history."
The refurbished bi-level coaches will be equipped with new seating, doors, flooring, walls and ceilings, upgraded washrooms, updated electrical outlets with USB ports and new HVAC control systems. The work will be completed by the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay, benefitting the region by sustaining and creating well-paying jobs while supporting local suppliers and businesses.
"On behalf of the City of Thunder Bay, I want to extend our most sincere thanks to the Ontario government for this transformative $500 million investment in our community," said Ken Boshcoff, Mayor of Thunder Bay. "By choosing the Alstom plant for refurbishing GO Transit rail coaches, the province is not only supporting hundreds of local jobs but also reinforcing Thunder Bay's reputation as a hub for manufacturing excellence. This commitment will deliver meaningful economic benefits to our city, strengthen our local industries, and create a bright future for families and businesses in Thunder Bay."
Refurbishing the bi-level coaches will extend their service life by 20 years and support the province's ambitious GO Expansion program, which aims to deliver two-way, all-day service to Oshawa, Burlington, Kitchener, Stouffville and Barrie.
Quick Facts
- GO Transit has 979 bi-level rail coaches that were manufactured in Thunder Bay between 1978 and 2021.
- In 2021, Ontario placed an order for 94 bi-level coach refurbishments at the Alstom Thunder Bay facility.
- In 2024, Ontario announced the largest GO Transit service expansion in more than a decade, adding more than 300 weekly train trips to the GO rail network.
- The Ontario government is investing almost $70 billion over the next 10 years to expand access to public transit across the province.
Quotes
"The nearly $500 million investment our government is making to upgrade 181 GO trains at the Thunder Bay Alstom plant is a historic day for our community. This commitment will not only extend the lifespan of Ontario's GO trains but will also bring and maintain more jobs in Thunder Bay, delivering significant economic benefits to our region. It's a clear demonstration of our government's commitment to supporting local industry while enhancing public transit across the province."
- Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay Atikokan
"We thank the Government of Ontario and Metrolinx for their renewed trust and confidence and for recognizing the unique expertise of our team in Thunder Bay, who are the best positioned to upgrade cars they originally manufactured. We are proud to continue delivering a refreshed and modernized fleet with state-of-the-art passenger amenities to enhance the experience of transit users in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area."
- Michael Keroullé, President, Alstom Americas
""Extending the life of these coaches is a vital part of our plan for faster and more frequent GO rail service, supporting the demands of our rapidly growing region. With industry-leading amenities on board, these revived coaches will ensure a comfortable and enjoyable customer journey for years to come.""
- Michael Lindsay, Interim President and CEO, Metrolinx
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