Bombardier to improve accessibility on VIA Rail cars

VIA Rail Canada Inc. has awarded a CA$54 million contract to Bombardier to make 17 rail cars more accessible for people with disabilities.

Each car will be equipped with two wheelchair lifts, two accessible spaces with anchoring devices and an accessible restroom. In addition, Bombardier will add announcement display screens on all the cars.

The upgrades will make the 1950s-era cars fully accessible, VIA Rail officials said in a press release.

The program is scheduled to be completed in 2020. The 17 reconfigured cars will be deployed over VIA Rail's long-haul routes.

The Canadian government provided the funds for the project. The money is in addition to funds granted to replace VIA Rail's fleet in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor.