Metrolinx is moving forward to connect Toronto’s Union Station and Pearson International Airport with new highly efficient rail shuttle vehicles. This express rail service will be ready for the upcoming Pan Am Games in 2015. The Air Rail Link will ensure reliable travel times to the airport and will take millions of car trips off area roads.
Metrolinx will be entering into formal negotiations with Sumitomo Corporation of America to exercise an option from the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (California) procurement contract to purchase up to 18 highly efficient Diesel Multiple Units (DMU’s). These vehicles will meet stringent Tier 4 emissions standards and will be convertible to electric for the Air Rail Link.
Following an open and competitive procurement process, Sumitomo Corporation is being considered for the award of a contract to produce DMU vehicles for Sonoma-Marin. An option clause in the contract gives Metrolinx the ability to purchase additional vehicles from the winner of the Sonoma-Marin procurement process.
Metrolinx wishes to use this option clause in the Sonoma-Marin contract in order to have vehicles delivered in time for public use of the Air Rail Link service, prior to the Pan Am Games in 2015.
There are currently no Canadian manufacturers of the required locomotive technology.
Metrolinx, with the unanimous support of its Board of Directors, concluded that entering the negotiation to exercise the option would obtain the best value for Ontario. If the negotiations are successful, Metrolinx will announce the details of the procurement when an agreement is reached.