Canada: Hitachi Rail Confirms $30 Million Investment in New Toronto HQ

Hitachi Rail has announced plans to invest nearly 30 million CAD in a new Canadian headquarters in Toronto, reinforcing its long-term presence in Ontario and expanding its signalling technology operations.

The new office will be located at Consilium Place in the Scarborough district and is scheduled to open in summer 2026. The facility will cover approximately 125,000 square feet across five and a half floors and is expected to accommodate around 1,100 employees alongside 100 paid interns.

The headquarters will house the company’s Global Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) Competence Centre, which provides engineering and technical expertise for urban rail systems worldwide. The investment adds to an earlier 100 million CAD commitment to develop SelTrac G9 signalling technology from Toronto.

The building has been selected for its environmental credentials, including LEED Silver and BOMA certification. Amenities will 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.

Signalling Development

SelTrac CBTC technology, developed in Toronto, has been deployed on metro systems in cities including London, Paris, New York City, Dubai, Seoul and Singapore, as well as Canadian 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. According to the company, this approach is intended to support more efficient operations, increase passenger capacity and reduce operating costs for rail operators.

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

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