• 32 bi-directional trainsets offering more than 9,100 seats
• Passenger service expected to begin in 2022
• Enhanced passenger experience with more comfortable cars, quieter ride and improved universal accessibility

OAKVILLE, ON, Dec. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - Siemens Canada has been awarded a major contract with VIA Rail Canada to design and build 32 new bi-directional trainsets to serve more than 4.5 million passengers annually on VIA's busiest route, the Québec City – Windsor corridor. The order is valued at $989 million CAD. In addition, VIA Rail and Siemens have entered into a 15-year technical services and spare parts supply agreement of $23.7 million CAD per year. Siemens aims to provide Canadian content of more than 20% in supplies and services.  Delivery of the trainsets for testing will begin in 2021 with passenger service expected to begin in 2022.

"Our new trains will offer VIA Rail passengers a more comfortable and accessible rail travel experience while also supporting VIA's sustainability goals," says Faisal Kazi, President and CEO, Siemens Canada. "As part of the Canadian fabric for over a century, we're committed to helping this country become stronger and continuously improve, and this fleet replacement reflects that and benefits from our experience worldwide."

"As we are initiating the gradual withdrawal of the current fleet, the timely delivery of the new fleet will allow VIA Rail to maintain the current levels of service in the Québec-City Windsor Corridor, while significantly improving the quality of its passenger experience. We thank the Government of Canada for their trust in VIA Rail and for this historic investment in its sustainable future." said Yves-Desjardins-Siciliano, President and CEO, VIA Rail Canada.

The 32 trainsets will be powered by Siemens' popular Charger locomotives, one of the most fuel-efficient diesel-electric locomotives in the market today, notable for its clean power and a smooth, comfortable ride. Environmentally friendly with a Tier 4 emission compliant power unit, the locomotives offer a carbon emission reduction of up to 80% compared to current equipment. The passenger cars will also feature Enhanced Universal Accessibility, offering multiple accommodations for wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Canada holds a distinct place in Siemens' history, becoming the first country in North America to deploy Siemens light rail systems in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta beginning in the mid-1970's, and to this day. These projects signaled the start of Siemens' growing success in mobility and the company now manufactures more than one-third of all light rail vehicles in North America. More than 70 Siemens Charger locomotives are currently serving rail passengers across North America.

As a leader in transport solutions for more than 160 years, Siemens is constantly innovating its portfolio. With digitalization, Siemens is enabling mobility operators in Canada and worldwide to make infrastructure intelligent, increase value sustainably over the entire lifecycle and enhance passenger experience. The trainsets will be manufactured in Siemens' North American Manufacturing Headquarters for Siemens Rolling Stock located in Sacramento, California.

This press release and a press picture/ press pictures/ further material is available at:
https://www.siemens.com/ca/en/home/company/press/via.html 

For further information on Siemens Canada's Mobility Division please visit
https://www.siemens.com/ca/en/home/products/mobility.html

About Siemens Canada

Since 1912 Siemens Canada has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality and reliability. Siemens technology in the fields of electrification, automation and digitalization helps make real what matters to Canadians. From the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, Siemens Canada employees deliver solutions for sustainable energy, smart infrastructure, and the digital enterprise. One of the world's largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. With its separately managed subsidiary Siemens Healthineers Limited, the company is also a foremost provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. Sales for Siemens Canada in fiscal 2018 (ended September 30), were $2.2 billion CAD. The company has approximately 4,300 employees and 44 locations across Canada, including nine production facilities. Further information is available at www.siemens.ca.

SOURCE Siemens Canada Limited