November 4, 2026
VIA Rail Canada has completed the $310 million modernization of its Toronto Maintenance Centre, marking a major milestone in strengthening Canada’s passenger rail infrastructure. The four-year project introduces advanced maintenance technology, expanded facilities and modern rail servicing capabilities designed to improve fleet reliability, operational efficiency and long-term performance.
Funded by the Government of Canada, the project was delivered on budget and will support VIA Rail’s new Corridor fleet of 32 bidirectional trainsets while continuing to maintain existing passenger rail equipment.
The Toronto Maintenance Centre modernization represents a significant federal investment in transportation infrastructure and Canadian employment.
During construction, the project supported up to 475 jobs in skilled trades and construction, with more than 80 per cent of project content sourced from Canada.
The modernized facility is also expected to sustain nearly 240 permanent jobs throughout its operational lifecycle.
These outcomes highlight the economic benefits of large-scale infrastructure modernization, including employment opportunities, domestic industry participation and long-term transportation operations.
“The completion of the Toronto Maintenance Centre is a concrete demonstration of how VIA Rail is modernizing passenger rail in Canada,” said Mathieu Paquette, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail Canada.
Paquette emphasized that the upgraded infrastructure will help maintenance teams work more efficiently, improve fleet availability and deliver a more reliable, accessible and comfortable passenger experience.
The modernization transforms an aging maintenance facility into a high-performance rail servicing centre equipped to handle current and next-generation passenger trains.
Major infrastructure improvements include:
These improvements create a more efficient maintenance environment while supporting the operational requirements of VIA Rail’s modern Corridor fleet.
The upgraded Toronto Maintenance Centre includes specialized heavy-maintenance equipment designed to improve the efficiency and precision of rail servicing operations.
A stand-alone wheel lathe and bogie drop table provide advanced capabilities for maintaining critical train components.
The facility also incorporates improvements to its fuel plant, including new sanding, windshield-washer-fluid and diesel-exhaust-fluid systems.
Together, these upgrades strengthen VIA Rail’s ability to maintain existing equipment while accommodating the technical requirements of its next-generation fleet.
A key technology investment is the installation of a new Vehicle Equipment Measurement System (VEMS), supporting VIA Rail’s transition toward predictive, data-driven maintenance.
The system provides real-time monitoring, diagnostics and early fault detection, allowing maintenance teams to identify potential equipment issues before they result in more significant operational disruptions.
By improving maintenance planning and supporting earlier intervention, VEMS is expected to help:
The integration of advanced monitoring technology demonstrates how digital systems are becoming increasingly important in modern transportation infrastructure and asset management.
The modernized Toronto Maintenance Centre is specifically designed to support VIA Rail’s new Corridor fleet of 32 bidirectional trainsets.
Its expanded maintenance infrastructure and advanced servicing capabilities will help ensure that the new trains remain available, reliable and ready for passenger operations.
The investment also complements other VIA Rail modernization initiatives, including the renewal of its long-distance, regional and remote fleet and development of the Dorval Multimodal Hub.
Together, these projects form part of VIA Rail’s broader strategy to improve the passenger experience through modern equipment, reliable infrastructure and more efficient operations.
The Government of Canada has emphasized the project’s contributions to Canadian employment, domestic industry and transportation connectivity.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon highlighted the importance of investing in modern maintenance infrastructure to support skilled jobs and keep passenger trains operating reliably.
John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour) and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, also recognized the facility’s role in strengthening transportation infrastructure and supporting economic activity.
Member of Parliament James Maloney described the completed project as an important milestone for passenger rail modernization and local employment in Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
With construction complete, the Toronto Maintenance Centre will play a central role in maintaining VIA Rail’s passenger fleet and supporting its long-term transportation objectives.
The project demonstrates how strategic investment in modern infrastructure, advanced maintenance equipment and predictive technology can improve operational performance while delivering economic benefits to Canadian communities.
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