Through its Corridor Fleet Renewal Program (CFRP), Via Rail is seeking a fleet of push-pull trains to provide a total of 9100 seats, with enhanced accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility. The trains will be equipped with Tier 4-compliant diesel engines “with the option to operate on electrified infrastructure as it becomes available.”

The RFQ specifies the trains must have a “service-proven design and/or platform that meets the requirements of the CFRP.”

The contract includes a technical support and spares supply agreement for an initial 15-year term, with an option for an additional 15 years.

The deadline for submission of RFQ documents is June 6, and a request for proposals will be issued to shortlisted bidders in June 2018. Via Rail expects to award the contract in December.

A test train is due to be delivered by October 2021, with introduction of the fleet into revenue service scheduled for the second quarter of 2022. All 32 trains in the base order are due to be in service by the second quarter of 2024.

The average age of coaches currently used on the Quebec City - Windsor corridor is 43 years, while locomotives have an average age of 23 years.

The Canadian government confirmed it would fund the procurement as part of its 2018, budget, which was unveiled on February 27.