Ontario’s government has announced a significant increase in Canadian content for Toronto’s upcoming TTC Line 2 subway trains, aimed at safeguarding local jobs and boosting domestic manufacturing.
Both provincial and federal authorities revealed on Thursday that the forthcoming 55 replacement trains for the aging Bloor-Danforth fleet will now have a minimum of 55% Canadian content, surpassing the previous requirement of about 30%. This shift represents a substantial investment, nearing $1 billion from Ontario.
The manufacturing of these new trains will take place at Alstom facilities located in Thunder Bay, Kingston, and Toronto, creating job opportunities for 946 individuals across Canada, with 285 positions based in Ontario.
Currently, the Line 2 trains in operation are over three decades old and are approaching the end of their useful life. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed optimism about the investment, highlighting the positive impact it will have on daily commuters.
“The enhancements to Line 2 will greatly benefit its regular passengers,” Mayor Chow stated. “The new trains will result in reduced wait times, increased reliability, and improved connectivity throughout the city.”
Moreover, the province unveiled updated visuals of the Line 2 fleet, showcasing sleek, high-capacity trains designed to accommodate up to 1,100 passengers each. These renderings display a modernized interior, wider doorways, and enhanced accessibility features.
Running 26 kilometers from Etobicoke (Kipling Station) to Scarborough (Kennedy Station), Line 2 is projected to serve 661,000 daily riders by 2041, according to TTC estimates.
The introduction of these new trains aims to meet the escalating demand while supporting the largest transit expansion initiative in Canadian history, including projects like the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, and the Yonge North Subway Extension.
Anticipated to commence operation later in the decade, the first of the new trains will mark a significant advancement in Toronto’s public transit system.