THUNDER BAY – Business – Bombardier in Thunder Bay is going to be even busier. “This manufacturing contract will benefit the people who live and work in Thunder Bay. Twenty-eight additional GO Transit cars represent $85 million of investment and employment for our local workforce,” commented MPP Bill Mauro. The comments come as the Ontario Government announced another contract for more mass transit rail to be built in Thunder Bay for the mass transit system in the Greater Toronto area.
The manufacturing contract represents a significant boost for the Thunder Bay economy and the local Bombardier workforce. About 250 workers will be involved in building the train cars over the course of the project.
Design of the cars is already underway, with production scheduled to begin this summer. The first delivery of the new fleet will arrive in 2014.
“Investments in infrastructure are investments in our communities and our economy, creating jobs and driving economic growth to provide a high quality of life for families across the northwest and the entire province. I’m proud our government is leading the way and today’s announcement is certainly another example of how we are keeping people right here in Thunder Bay working and our community strong,” adds Michael Gravelle the Minister for Northern Development and Mines.
“Our employees are proud to provide GO Transit with additional bi-level cars and welcome our customers’ renewed confidence in the products we deliver,” commented René Lalande, Vice-President, Bombardier Transportation, Thunder Bay Business Unit
Glen Murray, the Ontario Minister of Transport added, “This significant investment will help sustain good jobs in Thunder Bay and help support the local economy. The twenty-eight additional GO Train cars will also make room for 3,800 more commuters.”
QUICK FACTS
- Bi-level cab cars and passenger coaches have been part of GO Transit’s fleet since 1978 and were designed by Bombardier in Thunder Bay — the only Canadian manufacturer of commuter rail coaches.
- Since 2003, 317 GO Train cars have been purchased by the Ontario government.
- The Ontario government has committed more than $14 million in gas tax funding since 2004 to expand and improve public transit in Thunder Bay.
- Since 2003, Ontario has invested more than $16.1 billion in public transit in Ontario, including approximately $7.7 billion in GO Transit.
