The Ontario government is investing 139.5 million CAD in three new Northlander trainsets as part of its plan to bring back northeastern passenger rail services.
The new diesel locomotives and rail cars will be built by Siemens Mobility and will meet the latest EPA Tier 4 emission standards.
Their interiors will feature spacious seating and modern amenities, including Wi-Fi and passenger information systems.
Stan Cho, Associate Minister of Transportation, said:This is a significant step forward in bringing back the rail service that northerners deserve. The reinstated Northlander train will support our northern industries and resource sectors and provide a safe and reliable transportation option for Northern communities, especially in the winter months. This purchase demonstrates real progress, as we continue to take concrete steps to build a better transportation network for the north.
Ontario Northland Transportation Commission’s Northlander passenger train service was discontinued in 2012.
Once reinstated, the service will be offered from four to seven days a week and is expected to serve 16 stops from Toronto Union Station to Cochrane.
By 2041, annual ridership is estimated to have grown to between 40,000 and 60,000 riders.
