Government of Ontario to invest C$500 million in refurbishing 181 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches at Alstom facility in Thunder Bay

The government of Ontario is investing nearly C$500 million (US$347.7 million) to refurbish 181 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The government of Ontario notes the investment is part of the ongoing service expansion across the GO rail network.  

“As Ontario continues to grow, our government is investing in made-in-Ontario solutions to ensure our public transit network grows with it,” said Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “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.  

"On behalf of the city of Thunder Bay, I want to extend our most sincere thanks to the Ontario government for this transformative C$500 million (US$347.7 million) investment in our community,” said Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff. “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." 

The government of Ontario notes refurbishing the 979 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, Ontario. 

According to the province, the bi-level rail coaches were originally manufactured in Thunder Bay between 1978 and 2021. In 2021, the government of Ontario placed an order for 94 bi-level coach refurbishments at the Alstom Thunder Bay facility. Alstom has operated GO Transit’s commuter rail network for more than a decade, including supplying train crews and providing customer service on more than 500 kilometers (310.7 miles) of track across seven lines. Alstom has built close to 80 percent of all passenger rail cars in Canada. 

"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,” said Alstom Americas President Michael Keroullé. 

“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,” said Metrolinx Interim President and CEO Michael Lindsay.