Alstom wins CAD 4.7 billion contract to modernize VIA Rail Canada fleet

Alstom has secured a CAD 4.7 billion contract to modernize VIA Rail Canada’s long-distance, regional, and remote fleet. The agreement includes the delivery of 313 new Adessia railway cars, valued at approximately CAD 4 billion, alongside a 15-year technical support and spare parts supply agreement worth nearly CAD 700 million.

The project focuses on domestic manufacturing and engineering within Canada. Design and engineering work will be conducted in St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec, while carbody manufacturing will take place in La Pocatière, Quebec. Final assembly is scheduled for Thunder Bay, Ontario. This initiative is expected to support hundreds of skilled jobs and enhance connectivity for nearly 400 communities across eight major routes, including services linking cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, and Montreal.

The new fleet is designed to improve passenger comfort, accessibility, and connectivity, specifically serving long-distance and remote routes, including those serving many First Nations communities.