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Ontario Northland lands refurbishment contract

North Bay shop will work on Metrolinx passenger coaches
ontc_metrolinx
Ontario Northland’s remanufacturing and repair shop in North Bay will refurbish Metrolinx passenger coaches over the next few years. (Supplied photo)

The Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) has been awarded a contract to refurbish Metrolinx passenger coaches at its remanufacturing and repair centre in North Bay.

The company said the first 15 bi-level passenger coaches arrived at the shop on Aug. 7. The coaches will be overhauled and modernized over the next few years, the company said.

“We are excited to work on Metrolinx’s bi-level coaches again,” ONTC president and CEO Corina Moore said in a news release.

“This strategic alliance will allow Ontario Northland to provide competitive and high-quality remanufacturing services to our sister agency, while contributing to economic growth in Northern Ontario. Our employees are eager to renew this equipment for Metrolinx and demonstrate our renowned capabilities.”

More than 200 people work at the North Bay shop, which specializes in remanufacturing, repair, paint and overhaul services for passenger and freight cars, locomotives, wheel and truck work.

In the news release, the company noted that Ontario Northland and Metrolinx have introduced new connections to Muskoka and Pearson Airport in the past year.

“Working with Ontario Northland and the communities of Northern Ontario is always a positive experience for our two teams,” Metrolinx president and CEO Phil Verster said in the release.

“This vehicle refurbishment is an important part of the growth of our future rail capacity.”

Headquartered in Toronto, Crown agency Metrolinx operates the GO Transit, UP Express and PRESTO rail systems in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas.