# Canada Awards $6.7B VIA Rail Fleet Contracts

The Government of Canada has awarded the approximately $6.7 billion VIA Rail Long-Distance, Regional and Remote fleet renewal through two procurements: Alstom Canada will supply 313 passenger cars, and Stadler will supply 45 hybrid battery-diesel locomotives. Locomotives are expected to enter service from 2029, passenger-car deliveries from 2031, and the full passenger-car fleet by 2035. With the awards in place, the near-term opportunity for industry is primarily in supplier, manufacturing, technical-support, and spare-parts work rather than bidding on the main awards.

- The passenger-car award is approximately $4 billion, plus nearly $700 million for 15 years of technical support and spare parts. The locomotive procurement totals approximately $1.95 billion, including support, spare parts, and a Montreal assembly and maintenance facility.
- Canadian production locations include Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, La Pocatière, and Thunder Bay; the Montreal facility adds a longer-term assembly and maintenance opportunity.
- Companies supplying components, battery systems, maintenance, and rail support services can assess opportunities to participate in the awarded programs and their extended support work.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Transportation
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 11, 2026

### Government Entities
- Government of Canada
- VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail)

### Vendors
- Alstom Canada (awardee)
- Stadler (awardee)
- ABB (battery system supplier)

### Key Quotes
> For the first time in four decades, VIA’s passenger cars will be built in Canada.
> — Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

### Sources
- [French and Swiss firms to build new VIA Rail trains in $6.7-billion fleet overhaul | Daily Hive | Urbanized](https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/via-rail-new-train-locomotive-order-alstom-stadler) - Daily Hive