This page was exported from Caledon Citizen [ https://caledoncitizen.com ]
Export date: Fri Nov 22 14:59:10 2024 / +0000 GMT

New Brampton facility will support over 600 jobs, boost transit


Written By JASEN OBERMEYER

Ontario is supporting over 600 jobs and delivering more public transit for communities in Peel Region and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) with the opening of a new assembly facility for light rail vehicles (LRVs) in Brampton.

Steven Del Duca, Minister of Economic Development and Growth, was in Brampton last Tuesday (April 10), to announce that the province is partnering with Alstom to assemble light rail vehicles in the new facility in the city.

“This new facility will supply state-of-the-art light rail vehicles that are crucial elements of the transit system and part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario's history,” said Mr. Del Duca.

In May 2017, Ontario announced a contract with Alstom to provide 61 vehicles for light rail transit (LRT) projects in the GTHA, with an option to acquire an additional 44 vehicles. The contract, which is worth $528 million, will create between 100 and 120 full-time jobs in the new Alstom facility in Brampton, and support an additional 400 to 500 spinoff jobs. It will ensure that Metrolinx has the high-quality vehicles needed to open its LRT projects in the GTHA on time.

“High-quality rapid transit is an essential part of our government's plan to connect people across this region with jobs and opportunities and we are committed to delivering this much-needed service on time,” commented Kathryn McGarry, Minister of Transportation.

The province has added over 10,000 jobs since March, and since the 2008 recession, has gained more than 800,000 new jobs, with an average of 500 jobs created each day last year. Ontario currently also has the lowest unemployment rate in 17 years.

Brampton-Springdale MPP Harinder Malhi said this is great news for Brampton. “It's a vote of confidence in the economic growth of our community and an important step in the development of rapid transit across the region.”

Beginning 2003, Ontario has invested nearly $16-billion in priority rapid transit projects in the GTHA, including $1.4 billion for the Hurontario LRT and $8.4 billion for rapid transit projects in the City of Toronto such as the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and the Finch West LRT.

“Alstom is thrilled to announce today we are opening a second industrial site in Ontario for the production of our ‘made for North America' Citadis Spirit light rail vehicle,” added Angeloa Guercioni, Managing Director for Alstom Canada. “This second facility confirms Alstom's commitment to the ongoing transformation of the Canadian transportation landscape and the trust our clients have in the quality of our technology.”
Post date: 2018-04-19 16:36:49
Post date GMT: 2018-04-19 20:36:49
Post modified date: 2018-04-19 16:36:49
Post modified date GMT: 2018-04-19 20:36:49
Powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin. HTML saving format developed by gVectors Team www.gVectors.com