Ontario Invests C$138MM For Future Northlander Service
The government of Ontario in Canada on March 13 announced the acquisition of 127 miles (205 kilometers) of CN rail line between North Bay and Washago. The C$138 million investment is a
Northlander
Transit Briefs: Ontario’s Northlander, CTA/Metra, BART, DEN/Alstom
Rail infrastructure upgrades are nearing completion for the revival of Northlander service in Ontario, Canada. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra post ridership gains in 2025; San Francisco Bay Area Transportation District (BART) launches free Wi-Fi at five stations in time for the Super Bowl; and Alstom completes base-order delivery of automated people-mover vehicles to Denver International Airport (DEN).
First Northlander Trainset Arrives in Ontario
The first of three Siemens Venture trainsets was officially unveiled Jan. 8, ahead of the Northlander passenger-rail service revival later this year between Timmins and Toronto, with a rail connection to Cochrane.
Transit Briefs: Northlander, MARTA, New River Valley Passenger Rail, OKC Streetcar
The Northlander returns to Ontario. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) launches systemwide upgrades in 2026; Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) New River Valley project is on track for a 2027 launch; and EMBARK officials kick off OKC Streetcar’s free fare pilot program.
Transit Briefs: Northlander, NYMTA, APTA
Construction is under way at the Timmins-Porcupine Station in Ontario, Canada, part of the Northlander passenger-rail revival project. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) posts ridership, performance and safety improvements in first-half 2025; and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognizes two members’ outstanding sustainability achievements.