Canada has committed approximately C$4.7 billion to VIA Rail for the construction of 313 new passenger rail cars to replace aging equipment more than 70 years old, including some cars that date back 77 years. The order was announced on September 3, 2026, at Alstom’s Thunder Bay, Ontario plant by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Rail Car Types and Routes Served
The fleet renewal will deploy new Alstom Adessia passenger cars across eight routes outside the Québec City–Windsor Corridor, linking nearly 400 communities. These include Montréal, Halifax, Gaspé, Jonquière, Senneterre, Toronto, Vancouver, Churchill, Prince Rupert, Jasper, Sudbury, and White River. The new cars will support long-distance, regional,
and remote travel, serving Indigenous and rural populations where alternative transport options are limited.
The order specifies nine car configurations: coach, sleeper, accessible, berth, prestige, panorama, dome, dining, and baggage cars. Sleeper cars represent the largest category, followed by coaches. Signature features such as dome cars and full-service dining will be preserved, with enhancements to onboard accessibility, digital connectivity, and passenger comfort.
Manufacturing and Employment Impact
Design and engineering will occur in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Québec; carbodies will be built in La Pocatière, Québec; and final assembly will take place in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This marks the first time in four decades that VIA Rail’s passenger
car production returns to Canada. The project is expected to create or sustain up to 670 direct Canadian jobs and hundreds more indirectly, contributing over C$1.6 billion to the national GDP.
This procurement is aligned with the federal Buy Canadian Policy, supporting the use of Canadian steel and suppliers. Alstom works with more than 900 local suppliers annually and employs about 5,200 people across Canada. The company expects an expanded Canadian supply base and increased domestic manufacturing capacity as a result.
Official Statements and Union Support
Mathieu Paquette, VIA Rail Interim President and CEO, described the investment as “a defining step in shaping the future
of VIA Rail’s pan-Canadian fleet,” highlighting the retention of signature features and the introduction of modernized amenities. Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, stated, “Canadians deserve a passenger rail system that is modern, reliable and built to serve them for generations to come,” emphasizing the support for Canadian jobs and innovation.
The union Unifor, representing workers at the Thunder Bay Alstom plant and VIA Rail employees, called the project “a tremendous victory for our members in Thunder Bay and for Canadian manufacturing,” stressing its importance for public passenger rail services.
Timeline, Technical Specifications, and Passenger Benefits
The
first deliveries are expected in 2031, with the order completing by 2035. The Adessia rail cars will operate at speeds between 120 and 200 km/h and feature cybersecurity enhancements for operational technology. VIA Rail anticipates improved service reliability and enhanced onboard experience, especially for passengers on long-distance and remote routes.
The new fleet will maintain established amenities including dome cars and full-service dining while upgrading accessibility and digital connectivity to meet modern standards.
Complementary Federal Investments and Fleet Context
Federal investments in VIA Rail’s fleet renewal exceed C$6.6 billion when combined with funding for 45 Stadler passenger locomotives, valued at C$1.6 billion, and a C$357 million
maintenance facility under construction in Montréal. Up to 36 of these locomotives will have final assembly completed in Canada.
The maintenance facility will provide long-term support for fleet operations and upkeep. VIA Rail operates these services as a Crown corporation on behalf of the Canadian government.
In 2025, more than 216,000 passengers used VIA Rail’s long-distance, regional, and remote services, with ridership increasing by 8.8% compared to the prior year, underlining the need for fleet modernization.
Replacing some of VIA Rail’s oldest equipment, the renewal addresses cars ranging from 70 to 77 years old and aims to preserve essential rail
services connecting diverse and remote Canadian communities.
