Hitachi Rail Toronto headquarters investment targets summer 2026

Hitachi Rail Toronto headquarters investment plans call for close to C$30 million to create a new Canadian headquarters in Toronto. The company says this reinforces its long-term presence in Ontario and its signalling technology operations, according to Hitachi Rail. At the same time, the office is planned for Consilium Place in the Scarborough district and is scheduled to open in summer 2026.

Also, the facility is expected to cover about 125,000 square feet across five-and-a-half floors. Hitachi Rail says the space should accommodate around 1,100 employees along with 100 paid interns, as reported by Railway-News.

Global CBTC Competence Centre and SelTrac G9 signalling technology

In addition, the new headquarters is set to host Hitachi Rail’s Global Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) Competence Centre. The centre provides engineering and technical expertise for urban rail systems worldwide. The new spend also builds on an earlier C$100 million commitment to develop SelTrac G9 signalling technology from Toronto.

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Separately, the building was selected for its environmental credentials, including LEED Silver and BOMA certification. Planned amenities include a gym, childcare facilities and electric-vehicle charging points, reflecting a focus on employee wellbeing and sustainable operations.

Arnaud Besse, Chief Operating Officer, Hitachi Rail Canada said:

This C$30m investment reinforces our commitment to Ontario and builds on our rail technology leadership in Canada. Our new state-of-the-art office will attract the next generation of new tech talent to Hitachi Rail. It will also be the hub for the next generation signalling technology that will increase capacity, improve reliability and reduce costs for transit systems around the world.

SelTrac CBTC deployments and next generation signalling with AI and 5G

Hitachi Rail said SelTrac CBTC technology developed in Toronto has been deployed on metro systems in cities including London, Paris, New York City, Dubai, Seoul and Singapore. In Canada, the company also cited networks in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.

The next generation of the technology under development in Canada is expected to incorporate artificial intelligence and 5G connectivity. Still, Hitachi Rail says the approach is intended to support more efficient operations, increase passenger capacity and reduce operating costs for rail operators.

Ontario Line project role and Hitachi Rail’s Toronto signalling history

Hitachi Rail’s signalling activities in Toronto span almost five decades. The company says this work has contributed to exports of CBTC systems to more than 100 metro lines across 40 cities. It has also partnered with educational institutions, including Ontario Tech University, to support a specialised railway engineering programme.

In addition, Hitachi Rail is a lead partner on the Ontario Line project in Toronto, responsible for rolling stock, signalling, operations and maintenance, as outlined in a Hitachi statement on the Ontario Line RSSOM contract. The company’s presence in Canada dates back to the 1970s, when it developed the signalling technology for Vancouver’s driverless SkyTrain network.

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