Canadian company Alstom announced it has won a contract to design, engineer, manufacture and support a new Long Distance, Regional and Remote (LDRR) fleet for VIA Rail Canada
As part of the contract, Alstom will manufacture 313 new rail cars for VIA Rail Canada, as well as provide long-term technical support and spare parts services. The contract, worth 4.7 billion Canadian, will support Canadian rail manufacturing and create hundreds of skilled jobs across the country. The new rail cars will be designed and engineered at Alstom’s facility in St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Québec, with car body manufacturing in La Pocatière, Québec, and final assembly in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in Canada.
“This is an emblematic project for Alstom, and we’re honoured to be entrusted by VIA Rail and the federal government with delivering it,” Michael Keroullé, president and CEO of Alstom Americas, said.
Officials said the new fleet will replace VIA Rail Canada’s existing long-distance fleet and serve eight major routes connecting nearly 400 communities across the country, including services linking Montreal, Halifax, Gaspé, Jonquière, Senneterre, Toronto, Vancouver, Churchill, Prince Rupert, Jasper, Sudbury and White River.
The new Adessia rail cars will expand opportunities for regional and remote travelers, and are built to withstand the country’s climate extremes. Alstom said the cars will retain the look and feel of existing cars while integrating the world class experience that travelers expect today.
“Today’s announcement marks a defining step in shaping the future of VIA Rail’s pan-Canadian fleet” Mathieu Paquette, VIA Rail’s Interim President and CEO, said. “These new rail cars will retain signature features such as dome cars, full-service dining and social areas, while incorporating modern amenities, improved accessibility, and greater reliability. They will help us preserve essential services to remote communities and elevate the unique onboard experience that allows passengers to discover Canada in a way that only train travel can offer. We are very proud to partner with Alstom to create lasting value for Canadians by having these new cars designed, engineered and manufactured in Canada, and we thank the Government of Canada for this historic investment in the future of passenger rail.”