METROLINX, the public transport agency for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area in Canada, is ending its partnership with the private consortium selected to operate and maintain the GO Transit commuter network.
ONxpress Operations, comprising Aecon Concessions and DB International Operations, was due to have taken charge of the GO Transit network under a 23-year contract starting on January 1.
“While both teams worked closely toward this goal, the parties are working on an amicable settlement to end the partnership,” Metrolinx said in a statement given to local media, providing no reason for the termination of the agreement.
ONxpress Operations forms part of ONxpress Transportation Partners, which in 2022 was appointed by Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario to deliver the GO Expansion programme. This comprehensive upgrade of the Toronto commuter network includes electrification, resignalling with ETCS Level 1, new electric locomotives and refurbishment of GO Transit’s fleet of double-deck coaches.
The ONxpress Transportation Partners consortium comprises Aecon Construction Group, Alstom Transport Canada, DB International Operations and FCC Canada. Under a 25-year contract including a two-year project development phase in collaboration with Metrolinx, civils and track work is being undertaken by Aecon Infrastructure Management and FCC, with Alstom responsible for the design and construction of railway systems.
"While our partnership with ONxpress Operations has come to an end, our GO Expansion work is proceeding," Metrolinx told IRJ. "The development phase for GO Expansion was completed in December 2024, with early construction works underway, as well as in-corridor works along the Kitchener corridor."
Metrolinx has confirmed that Alstom will continue in its current role as operations and maintenance contractor for GO Transit and the UP Express service to Toronto Pearson International Airport. Alstom became a contractor to Metrolinx through the acquisition of Bombardier Transportation, which in 1997 was awarded the current contract to maintain 90 diesel locomotives, 980 double-deck coaches and 18 DMUs.
In 2007 Bombardier also became responsible for operations, employing drivers, conductors and customer service staff, which together with maintenance personnel now make up the more than 1,100 Alstom employees on the GO Transit operations and maintenance team. The company says the decision by Metrolinx regarding ONxpress Operations has no impact on Alstom’s role in the ongoing GO Expansion programme.
