Hitachi Rail Wins Toronto Line 2 CBTC Signalling Contract

TORONTO, CANADA – Toronto Transit Commission awarded Hitachi Rail a contract to replace the 1960s-era fixed-block signalling on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth with SelTrac communications-based train control (CBTC) digital technology. The project, scheduled for completion by 2037, will increase peak passenger capacity from approximately 23,400 to 33,000 per hour and introduce automatic train operation to regulate closer service intervals.

What Does This Contract Cover?

The contract covers design, testing, and delivery of the ninth-generation SelTrac CBTC system for the existing Line 2 and the 7.8 km Scarborough extension now under construction, which adds three stations — Sheppard, McCowan, and Scarborough — and will put 38,000 residents within walking distance of the subway. The upgrade also includes integration with a future fleet of new trains on Line 2, although specifications and the number of trainsets have not been disclosed by the operator. The line currently carries over 500,000 daily riders on Toronto’s main east–west corridor.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

This is Toronto’s second major CBTC conversion, following the rollout on Line 1 Yonge-University that was completed in 2022 (Source: TTC, 2022). While Line 1’s CBTC deployment spanned roughly a decade, the Line 2 project will extend to 2037, partly because it overlaps with the Scarborough extension and introduction of new rolling stock. Hitachi Rail also recently extended its maintenance partnership for the UK’s Class 385 fleet in Scotland through 2027 under a Technical Support & Spares Supply Agreement (Source: Hitachi Rail/Southeastern, 2025) and is concurrently delivering new metro trains for Rome’s Lines A, B, and B1 (Source: Hitachi Rail, 2025). The global signalling market is currently led by Europe, where 60% of demand stems from digital upgrades of legacy networks rather than new construction, with key competitors including Siemens Mobility, Alstom, and CRRC Group (Source: Railway Market, 2025).

Editor’s Analysis

Placement of this contract with Hitachi Rail’s Toronto-based global signalling center — where 1,100 employees already develop technology for Vancouver, London, Singapore, and New York — solidifies the city’s role as an export hub for CBTC expertise. The capacity jump to 33,000 passengers per hour without new tunnel infrastructure mirrors a broader North American transit strategy of wringing more throughput from existing assets through software-based signalling. The operator’s silence on total project cost, however, leaves unanswered the question of whether this conversion will stay within the financial envelope typical of brownfield CBTC deployments, which can range between US$100 million and US$500 million per line depending on scope (Source: Future Market Insights, 2025).

FAQ

Q: When will the new signalling system on Toronto’s Line 2 be fully operational?
A: The TTC and Hitachi Rail target completion by 2037, encompassing the existing line and the Scarborough extension now under construction.

Q: How much will the Line 2 CBTC upgrade cost taxpayers?
A: The total contract value has not been officially disclosed by either the TTC or Hitachi Rail.

Q: Will Line 2 trains run without drivers once the upgrade is finished?
A: The SelTrac system enables automatic train operation, but the TTC has not confirmed whether it will move to fully unattended operation. A train operator may remain on board for safety and customer-facing duties, consistent with other CBTC-equipped metros in North America.