“For the first time in 14 years, the Northlander is back in Northern Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “When it returns to service later this year, the Northlander will connect people across Northern Ontario to life-changing opportunities, school, vital medical appointments and more, while strengthening local towns and industries along the entire route, creating good jobs and economic growth across the north for years to come.”

The province is nearing completion of “burn-in” testing on the first trainset, which has travelled more than 1,600 kilometres in conditions that simulate regular service. The train will soon enter the next phase of testing and commissioning, known as Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD). During this phase of testing, Ontario Northland will train staff on the equipment, run emergency exercises, test schedules and make sure all safety and operating systems are working properly along the full Northlander route. This phase will simulate normal operations, including station stops and announcements, before the line opens to the public.

The second trainset has arrived in Ontario and will soon begin its own testing and commissioning along the Northlander corridor. A confirmed return-to-service date will be announced in the coming months as testing proceeds. The province has also released anticipated fares at launch, which are approximately 10 per cent above the standard rate of travel on the existing Ontario Northland bus service. This price is designed to be competitive and accessible, while reflecting the cost of operating a more reliable and consistent passenger rail service.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is protecting Ontario by restoring the Northlander and delivering reliable transportation for northern communities,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “This milestone brings us one step closer to connecting people to jobs, health care and opportunities across northeastern Ontario.”

Many northern communities do not have access to taxis, local transit, rideshare or community transportation, making it harder for residents to reach Northlander stations or complete their trip from beginning to end.​ To help address this, the Ontario government introduced the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, that would establish a Northern Rideshare Framework to support the growth of rideshare services in communities along the Northlander corridor. The framework would give municipalities the tools to support local rideshare services, while helping inform a future provincewide approach.

The Northlander will travel 740 kilometres between Timmins and Toronto, with a rail connection to Cochrane, for a total of 16 stops.

“Today, we’re taking a pivotal step towards bringing back the Northlander and better connecting Northeastern Ontario families and workers to the opportunities and services they rely on,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “This investment will prioritize passenger service by supporting fast, reliable service along the line.”

The acquisition of more track along the Northlander corridor will connect communities from north to south and support the government’s work to build a province that is more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant. The investment allows the province to maintain critical rail infrastructure that improves both passenger and freight service along the corridor. In addition, it will streamline freight operations in North Bay, where freight trains were previously disassembled, transferred onto CN track and reassembled before continuing south.

“The acquisition of a connected rail corridor between North Bay and Washago marks another important milestone in the long-awaited restoration of the Northlander passenger rail service,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “We look forward to seeing how this new era of connection and opportunity takes shape, delivering on our government’s plan to restore safe and reliable service to families across Ontario’s northern communities.”

The Ontario government has recently marked several milestones to support the return of the Northlander, including celebrating the arrival of the first Northlander trainset, completing more than $100 million in Northlander rail infrastructure upgrades and finishing construction of the North Bay Rail Bypass. Once complete, the Northlander will travel 740 kilometres between Timmins and Toronto, with a rail connection to Cochrane, for a total of 16 stops.

“Our government is protecting Ontario by bringing back the Northlander and connecting thousands of people in northeastern Ontario to health care, education and economic opportunities,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The rail work underway will help reduce travel times and deliver a smoother and more comfortable ride for passengers.”

Additional work along the corridor, which includes adding warning systems, updating signage at rail crossings and adding gates to existing crossings, will continue to enhance safety across the network.

“The return of the Northlander marks an important milestone in our government’s plan to deliver new economic opportunities and safe transportation to northern Ontario families,” said Vic Fedeli, Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing. “With work underway to enhance the rail corridor and modernize the North Bay Station, we are one step closer to restoring this Ontario staple and helping connect the people of this province.”

The Ontario government has also awarded a contract for renovations at North Bay Station, which will serve the Northlander, as well as Ontario Northland’s motor coach and Bus Parcel Express services. Construction is underway to modernize the station with new digital screens, seating and service counters, as well as washroom and lighting enhancements to improve accessibility and comfort. Similar work is underway at the Cochrane and Englehart stations, with construction expected to be completed in the spring.

“Our government’s investment in track upgrades is delivering safer, smoother travel while building momentum toward the Northlander’s return,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Today’s announced improvements will make it easier and safer to move students, workers, and tourists across the north, and with construction well underway at the station in Timmins, our community is ready to welcome the Northlander back.”

The Ontario government has recently marked several milestones to support the return of the Northlander, including completing construction of the North Bay Rail Bypass, getting shovels in the ground at Timmins-Porcupine Station, reconstructing platforms and installing shelters along the Northlander corridor and marking the arrival of the first of three Northlander trainsets.

“Today is a great day for the people of Northern Ontario as we move another step closer to bringing the Northlander back into service, so families and workers can travel conveniently from Union Station all the way to Timmins and Cochrane,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Our government will continue to invest in the largest public transit expansion in Canadian history as part of our plan to create jobs, tackle gridlock and protect workers and businesses.”

The trainset is currently undergoing testing and commissioning work in Toronto before moving north, where Ontario Northland will begin testing the train along the Northlander corridor to ensure all systems function correctly and meet safety, performance and operating requirements. The Northlander is expected to return to service in 2026.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is delivering on its promise to bring back the Northlander,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The Northlander is a key part of our $100 billion plan to build transit and highways so we can protect Ontario and connect families to good jobs, housing and the services they rely on.”

In 2025, the province began construction of Timmins-Porcupine Station, awarded the contract to reconstruct platforms and install shelters along the Northlander corridor and completed the North Bay Rail Bypass, which will cut travel times by 15 minutes.

Once complete, the Northlander will offer rail service from Toronto to Timmins, with a connection to Cochrane. Service will strengthen northern industries and the resource sector while improving access to good-paying jobs and essential services, including health care and education.

“With record investments in infrastructure, including the Northlander, our government is getting it done for the people of Ontario by helping to keep workers on the job in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “People and businesses across the north have long awaited the return of the Northlander and that is why we are delivering on our promise to restore this vital transportation network that will propel northern economic growth.”

The new track will ensure that Northlander passenger trains avoid the busy North Bay Rail Yard, improving safety and operational efficiency by keeping them clear of active freight operations between CN, Ottawa Valley Railway and Ontario Northland.

“The completion of the North Bay Rail Bypass marks an important milestone in our government’s revitalization and restoration of the Northlander, and delivers on a promise to connect Nipissing families, workers, and industries with economic opportunities across the province” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “We look forward to seeing the Northlander back in action, delivering the efficient, convenient, and affordable transportation that northern Ontario residents deserve.”

The Northlander will connect Toronto to Timmins with a rail connection to Cochrane, including a total of 16 stops along the way. It will support northern industries and the resource sector, improving access to good-paying jobs and essential services, including healthcare and education.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is delivering on its promise to bring back the Northlander,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The Northlander will not only bring safe and reliable transportation back to communities ranging from Muskoka to North Bay to Timmins, it will also help unlock the province’s full economic potential by supporting northern industries and resource sectors and improving access to good-paying jobs and essential services like health care and education.”

The construction contract covers platform reconstruction at stops in North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson and Cochrane. In each location, crews will install raised concrete platforms with improved accessibility, lighting and signage. The contract also includes the installation of pre-manufactured shelters at stops in Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Temiskaming Shores and Temagami. The government will award a separate contract for the construction of Timmins-Porcupine station.

“Northern Ontario has always been a major contributor to our provincial economy, with potential for further growth in the years to come” said George Pirie, MPP for Timmins. “By fulfilling our promise and bringing back the Northlander, our government is connecting the north to new economic opportunities and enabling improved access to services.”

In addition, the province has unveiled the new exterior design of the Northlander, giving communities a first look at the state-of-the-art trains that will soon pave the way for an integrated transportation network that connects communities from the north to the south. The new fully accessible trains will feature built-in wheelchair lifts, mobility aid storage spaces, galley-style food services, Wi-Fi and fully accessible washrooms.

“The construction now taking place will ensure the Northlander stops are safe, reliable and welcoming for all passengers,” said Chad Evans, Chief Executive Officer for Ontario Northland. “We are excited to see this work being delivered and to showcase the exterior design of the trainset. These are critical milestones as we prepare for the new era of the Northlander.”

Once reinstated, the Northlander will provide southbound service leaving from Timmins and northbound service leaving from Toronto, four to seven days a week, based on seasonal travel demands. There will be 16 stops in both directions.

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