Bombardier, Metrolinx reach new light rail vehicle agreement
The agreement is for Bombardier Transportation to now manufacture 76 light rail vehicles for the Eglinton Crosstown project, 106 vehicles less than the original contract for 182 vehicles.
The move resets the relationship with Metrolinx under its new leadership, and provides a clear path forward to ensure certainty on the technical and financial obligations of both partners, according to a Bombardier release.
2 min to read
The move resets the relationship with Metrolinx under its new leadership, and provides a clear path forward to ensure certainty on the technical and financial obligations of both partners, according to a Bombardier release.
Bombardier agreed to amend the contract terms with Toronto’s Metrolinx to produce light rail vehicles for the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit (LRT) system on-time. The move resets the relationship with Metrolinx under its new leadership, and provides a clear path forward to ensure certainty on the technical and financial obligations of both partners, according to a Bombardier release. It also settles the arbitration with Metrolinx.
The agreement is for Bombardier Transportation to now manufacture 76 light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the Eglinton Crosstown project, 106 vehicles less than the original contract for 182 vehicles. In addition, the GO Transit operations and maintenance contract was extended by 18 months. This extension solidifies Bombardier's role as a provider of operations and maintenance in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area. Overall, the revised contracts do not change materially the size of the company’s relationship with Metrolinx, according to the company.
"We have always been resolved to find a clear negotiated path forward, one that delivers value to all parties, and foremost to the people of Ontario. Bombardier is fully committed to the Metrolinx project and to the people of the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area," said Benoit Brossoit, president, Americas Region, at Bombardier Transport. "I look forward to working with Metrolinx's CEO Phil Verster to advance this project and ensure that riders have the most efficient, comfortable and reliable transit system in the world."
Over the past few months, Bombardier reached new milestones confirming that it is on track to deliver the LRT projects, including high-speed testing on its track in Kingston. In addition, the first pilot vehicle successfully completed its climate testing at the National Research Council of Canada facility.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials.
In addition to new projects, progress continues on a multiyear effort to upgrade track, electrical, and signal systems on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate the expansion of service on the South Shore Line.
The Maryland Transit Administration is advancing the nearly $1.4 billion Light Rail Modernization Program, which modernizes the Baltimore Central Light Rail Line from Hunt Valley to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport with new, low-floor vehicles and upgrades to all light rail stations, systems, and maintenance facilities.
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board recently met for a budget workshop, during which staff outlined the significant service reductions Caltrain could be forced to make without new external funding.
Funding for the purchase of the railcars comes from the nearly $220 million in additional capital dollars Gov. Josh Shapiro allocated in November 2025 to support urgent safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
With major events and increased travel expected across the state this summer, the Administration is focused on making sure people have a reliable, affordable alternative to driving so we can reduce congestion, support daily commuters, and keep Massachusetts moving.