The Alstom Group has reached an agreement with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to supply a new fleet of subway trains for the Toronto network. The contract is worth USD 2.3 billion (approximately EUR 1.4 billion) and provides for the delivery of 70 Metropolis subway trains, with options for up to 150 additional units.
The new trains, called New Subway Trains (NST), will consist of six cars and are primarily intended to replace the existing fleet on Toronto’s Line 2 subway, one of the busiest lines in the network.
Replacement of the Line 2 fleet and future expansions
Of the total 70 multiple units contracted, 55 trains will replace the end-of-life rolling stock on Line 2, while 15 units are allocated to network expansion projects: the extension of Line 1 to Yonge North and the extension of Line 2 to Scarborough.
Toronto authorities estimate that the new trains will contribute to increased reliability and transport capacity, in a context of constantly growing demand on the city’s subway network.
Alstom Metropolis trains, with a focus on accessibility and safety
The Metropolis trains for Toronto will have more spacious interiors, with open passages between cars, multifunctional areas for wheelchair, stroller, or bicycle users, and modern passenger information systems.
From a technical standpoint, the trains will be equipped with energy-efficient lighting, intelligent leveling systems, wireless charging for mobile devices, and advanced cybersecurity technologies.
Alstom says the trains will incorporate eco-design solutions, including optimized propulsion systems, intelligent climate control management, and the use of digital design tools, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact throughout the product’s life cycle.
Design and assembly in Canada
A central element of the agreement is the local industrial component. The trains will be designed in Canada, with final assembly at Alstom’s plant in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and testing at the company’s facilities in Kingston, Ontario.
The contract is estimated to generate up to 945 direct jobs in Canada, including more than 600 at Alstom, as well as approximately 1,700 indirect jobs in the supply chain.
Alstom will use locally sourced materials, including Canadian steel and aluminum, thereby strengthening domestic industrial capabilities and reducing dependence on external supply chains.
The agreement between Alstom and TTC was made with the support of the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the City of Toronto, with authorities emphasizing the importance of the investment for both modernizing public transportation and maintaining jobs in the rail industry.
TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali said the new trains will help improve service for the hundreds of thousands of passengers who use Line 2 every day, while highlighting the economic benefits generated locally.
Metropolis, a global metro platform
The Metropolis train family is one of Alstom’s most widely used metro platforms, with over 35,000 cars ordered or in operation in more than 70 cities in 40 countries.
The platform allows for flexible configurations, with multiple units ranging from 2 to 9, compatible with different gauges, power systems, and modes of operation, including driverless.
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