Canada partners with AMT on train maintenance center

The Government of Canada will contribute up to $25 million through the P3 Canada Fund towards eligible costs of a new Maintenance Centre in Montréal, Quebec, for the Agence Métropolitaine de Transport (AMT). Through this project, the Governments of Canada and Quebec and the AMT will partner with the private sector to design, build and finance a facility required to maintain the current and future fleet of the AMT's commuter trains. By facilitating minor and major maintenance operations using modern equipment, the new Lachine Maintenance Centre will enhance service reliability to the benefit of all transit users. Partnering with the private sector to deliver this project as a public-private partnership will leverage private sector expertise, allow the transfer of design and construction risks to the private sector and generate positive value for money compared to traditional procurement, to the benefit of taxpayers. Construction will start in 2012 and will last for 18 months, with the centre expected to be operational by 2013. The total estimated cost of the project is $119 million with contributions of $24.725 million from the Government of Canada through PPP Canada, $61.961 million from the Government of Quebec and $32.210 million from the AMT. "The Government of Canada understands that this is an investment in our future. P3s are an innovative approach to building better public infrastructure and ensuring maximum value for taxpayers' dollars," said Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty. "We are proud to support projects like the construction of a maintenance centre for commuter trains at Lachine, which will provide a long-term solution to public transit development in the Greater Montréal Area, improve reliability as well as the safety of the network and its passengers, and create jobs," explained Senator Larry Smith. "PPP Canada is committed to bringing important public infrastructure initiatives and the expertise of the private sector together in a way that ensures value for Canadian taxpayers. Through its P3 Canada Fund, PPP Canada is encouraging the use of P3s by provinces, territories, municipalities and Aboriginal communities," added Greg Melchin, Chair of the Board of Directors of PPP Canada. "In the past 12 years, commuter train ridership has more than doubled," said the AMT's Nancy Fréchette. "Therefore, the AMT must make plans for the maintenance of a fleet of commuter trains that is expected to grow significantly. The AMT currently runs 160 two-story passenger cars on its network in order to increase the capacity of its current lines by 70 percent. In addition, 20 dual-mode locomotives have been ordered and will be used to increase the network's reliability and implement the new Train de l'Est line. The rolling stock will increase from 217 to more than 300 units by 2015. Given its growth objectives, the AMT must be able to accommodate, and especially to maintain, these major acquisitions. The reliability of commuter trains is largely dependent on having maintenance centers. At the end of the day, all commuter train users will benefit from the new facilities."