Hitachi Rail has announced a major C$30 million investment to establish a new state‑of‑the‑art Canadian headquarters in Toronto, strengthening its position as a global leader in advanced rail signalling technology. The new facility—set to open in summer 2026—will house the company’s Global Communications‑Based Train Control (CBTC) Competence Centre, serving as the engineering heart of Hitachi Rail’s worldwide CBTC innovation.
This latest investment builds on Hitachi Rail’s earlier C$100 million commitment to develop SelTrac™ G9, the next‑generation CBTC system designed from the ground up in Canada.
A High‑Tech Headquarters Designed for Growth
The new 125,000 sq. ft. headquarters spans 5.5 floors at Consilium Place in Toronto’s Scarborough district. It will be home to 1,100 employees and 100 paid interns—reinforcing Toronto’s status as one of North America’s fastest‑growing technology hubs.
As a LEED Silver and BOMA‑certified building, the site reflects Hitachi Rail’s environmental priorities. Employee wellbeing is also central to the design, which includes a gym, daycare facilities, and EV charging stations.
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.”
Andrea Hazell, MPP Scarborough—Guildwood, added:
“I am proud to welcome Hitachi Rail’s new headquarters to Scarborough-Guildwood... This new headquarters will strengthen our local economy, create meaningful jobs and opportunities for young people, and position Ontario at the forefront of next-generation rail innovation.”
Driving Global Rail Technology from Toronto
Toronto has long been at the epicentre of Hitachi Rail’s global signalling business, with SelTrac™ CBTC technology developed in the city for nearly 50 years. Today, this system underpins major metro networks in London, Paris, New York, Seoul, Singapore, Dubai, and across Canada—including Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto.
The next-generation SelTrac™ G9 CBTC—now in development—will integrate AI and 5G capabilities to deliver smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable metro operations. Benefits for operators include:
- Lower operating costs
- Improved reliability
- Increased network capacity
- Better journeys for passengers
Hitachi Rail’s previous resignalling of four London Underground lines boosted peak passenger capacity by 33%, demonstrating the transformative potential of advanced CBTC systems.
Boosting Canada’s Rail Economy and Skills Pipeline
Hitachi Rail’s signalling division has generated billions of dollars for the Canadian economy through global exports to more than 100 metro systems in 40 cities worldwide.
The company is also heavily investing in the next generation of Canadian rail engineers. In 2025, Hitachi Rail signed an MoU with Ontario Tech University to support a groundbreaking Railway Engineering Specialisation—the first programme of its kind in Canada. With more than 100 paid internships offered annually and recognition as a Top Employer for Young People, the company continues to build a robust talent pipeline for future rail innovation.
Image credits: Hitachi Rail
