Thunder Bay Bombardier to build 125 new GO commuter trains

On the heels of Bombardierannouncing it has been awarded the contract to produce 125 new GO commuter trains, local MPPS were quick to applaud the order.

In a press release, MPP Bill Mauro said -

"Bombardier is Thunder Bay's largest private sector employer. This investment, the latest in a long series of investments by our government in mass transit will help ensure that a significant workforce remains at Bombardier contributing greatly to the economy of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario."

• Thunder Bay Bombardier job losses may be around 300, spokesperson says

MPP Michael Gravelle also expressed his hope that the announcement means good things for the next few years, especially since Bombardier announced massive layoffs at its Thunder Bay facility back in February.

"This is exciting news for Bombardier and our region," said Gravelle, "investments like this, will create jobs and keep people right here in Thunder Bay working and our community strong for years to come."

Production of the 'BiLevel' rail cars is scheduled to start in thenorthwestern Ontario city in the second quarter of 2018, and finaldelivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2020.

The Montreal-based company announced the order from Berlinwhere its Bombardier Transportation rail equipment businesshas its global headquarters.

The order is the result of a conversion of purchase options heldby Metrolinx, the Ontario government's regional transportationagency for the Toronto and Hamilton areas.

Bombardier says the cars have been deployed or ordered fortransit authorities in 14 metropolitan regions across Canada and theUnited States.