Metrolinx orders more trains for GO Transit

Metrolinx has ordered from Bombardier Transportation 65 new bi-level coaches for GO Transit, the agency announced on Friday.

The contract includes two options for an additional 75 coaches that would bring the total investment to $481 million (in Canadian dollars). The base order of 65 coaches will be delivered between June 2016 and July 2017, and will be manufactured in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Metrolinx officials said in a press release.

Once delivered, the coaches will boost the total number coaches in service at GO Transit to 743, providing the passenger railroad the capacity and flexibility to add or enhance service across its busiest routes, they said.

"More and more people are using GO Transit and that trend has grown consistently over the last several years," said GO Transit President Greg Percy. "These new coaches will allow us to continue meeting our growth needs and support our plans for eventual two-way, all-day service on all of our rail lines."