Alstom to deliver new subway trains for Toronto, boosting jobs and local manufacturing

The design of the New Subway Train (NST) fleet that will replace the aging fleet on Line 2 of Toronto’s subway system (Non-contractual design for illustrative purposes © ALSTOM SA 2026. Advanced & Creative Design | Metropolis™). Credit: Alstom

Alstom has secured a CAD 2.3 billion (approx. €1.4 billion) contract with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to provide 70 New Subway Trains (NSTs) for Toronto’s subway network. The agreement includes options for up to 150 additional trainsets to replace the ageing fleet on Line 2 and support the extension of Line 1 to Yonge North and Line 2 to Scarborough.

Fifty-five of the six-car Metropolis metro trains will replace Line 2’s existing fleet, while 15 will serve future extensions. The trains are designed and engineered in Canada, with final assembly at Alstom’s Thunder Bay facility and testing at the Kingston site. The project is expected to create up to 945 direct Canadian jobs, including over 600 at Alstom, and more than 1,700 indirect positions across local suppliers and supporting industries.

Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas, said the NSTs “will be designed and engineered here in Canada, assembled in Thunder Bay, supported by an expanded network of local suppliers, and tested in Kingston. These trains set the bar for what it means to build in Canada, for Canadians.”

The new fleet prioritises comfort, safety and accessibility. Interiors feature open gangways, multi-purpose areas for wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles, energy-efficient lighting, and smart technology such as wireless smartphone charging and active levelling systems. The trains are protected by advanced cybersecurity measures and incorporate eco-design features, including efficient propulsion, smart climate controls, and virtual reality tools for design and optimisation, reducing environmental impact across the product lifecycle.

The NSTs will leverage Canadian carbon steel and aluminium, strengthening domestic production capabilities and industrial resilience while enhancing expertise in rail manufacturing and innovation. This initiative supports Canada’s growing urban transit infrastructure and contributes to local economic development.

Alstom’s Metropolis metro trains have been in service worldwide for over 60 years and can be adapted to varying capacities, gauge profiles, voltage systems, and interior layouts. The trains operate manually or driverless and are designed for low noise, high recyclability, and optimised energy efficiency. Globally, over 35,000 Metropolis cars have been ordered or are in operation in more than 70 cities across 40 countries.

Alstom, with over 5,000 skilled Canadian employees, is the country’s only rolling stock manufacturer and provides signalling, operations and maintenance services for major rail projects. The TTC praised the partnership with Alstom, highlighting the contribution of the new fleet to passenger comfort, reliability, and Canadian job creation, supported through collaboration with federal, provincial, and municipal governments.