More Go Transit bi-level rail coaches are officially being modernized at the Alstom Plant in Thunder Bay.

The provincial government is investing just under $500 million to refurbish 181 coaches.

“As Ontario continues to grow, our government is investing in made-in-Ontario solutions to ensure our public transit network grows with it,” said Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria. “The refurbishing of the bi-level rail coaches will inject millions of dollars into creating and maintaining good jobs in northwestern Ontario while supporting the largest transit expansion in Canadian history.”

The refurbished coaches will be equipped with new seating, doors, flooring, walls and ceilings, upgraded newly accessible washrooms, updated electrical outlets with USB ports and new HVAC control systems.

The province says this will extend the service life of the coaches by 20 years which will help support the planned expansion at GO.

The organization has 979 coaches that were made in Thunder Bay between 1978 and 2021.