Hitachi Rail opens new technology centre with $30m investment, anchoring 1,100+ jobs and global rail tech centre in Toronto

• A hub for talent and innovation, engineers at the site are deploying Hitachi Rail’s cutting-edge signalling tech locally and internationally, aided by a $105m investment in next gen digital tech
• Hitachi Rail demonstrates its commitment to Canada with a significant investment in its new its new technology centre and HQ, the home to more than 1,100 employees
• The opening event welcomed high-profile Canadian political and business leaders, including Ontario Premier Ford, Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay and TTC CEO Mandeep Lali

November 6, 2026, TORONTO, ON – Hitachi Rail today opened its new Canadian technology centre in Scarborough, having invested $30 million to establish a new home for 1,100+ employees and a global centre for the development of advanced digital rail technology.

The site is the centre of excellence for Hitachi Rail’s signalling and systems business in Canada, overseeing the delivery of transformative transit projects across the country, including the Ontario Line and the modernization of signalling on TTC Line 2. It is also home to Hitachi Rail’s global digital signalling for subways business, a Canadian technology export success story. Developed in Toronto, SelTrac™ Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology is now deployed on more than 150 lines in 70 cities around the world.

The investment comes as Hitachi Rail expands its Canadian technology and engineering capability, including a $105 million program to develop the next generation of SelTrac™ digital signalling technology, incorporating AI, 5G and edge computing.

The new 125,000 sq. ft. headquarters – equivalent to more than seven hockey rinks – is a tangible expression of Hitachi Rail’s long-term commitment to Canada. Across 5.5 floors, the site brings together the people who deliver major transit projects in Canada and around the world, alongside the engineers developing technology for domestic and international markets.

One and a half floors (35,000 sq. ft) are dedicated to advanced engineering simulators where engineers recreate the signalling systems of metro networks around the world in a virtual environment. Using digital twins, Hitachi can develop, test and prove the technology before it is installed on the real railway, helping bring world-leading signalling technology to cities around the world. A few examples of cities that have subway lines simulated include London, New York, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Singapore and most major Canadian cities.

Almost 50 years after its Canadian signalling business was established in Toronto, the new headquarters represents Hitachi Rail’s ambition to build the next generation of rail technology in Canada, deploy it on major Canadian transit programs and export Canadian expertise around the world.

The company’s executives, Head of North America, Ziad Rizk and MD, Hitachi Rail in Canada, Arnaud Besse, were joined by prominent political and business leaders to mark the occasion:

• Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford
• Ontario Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria
• Metrolinx CEO, Michael Lindsay
• TTC CEO, Mandeep Lali
• Giles Gherson, President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
• Japan’s Ambassador to Canada, Masashi Nakagome

Arnaud Besse, Managing Director, Hitachi Rail in Canada said:

“Almost 50 years after we established our Canadian signalling business in Toronto, Hitachi Rail is demonstrating its continued ambition to lead the industry with investment in the new HQ and technology centre. The business is writing the next chapter of a great success story: deepening our Canadian presence, serving major transit programs countrywide and exporting the next generation of rail technology around the world.”

“Our government is protecting Ontario jobs and workers from U.S. tariffs by cutting taxes and red tape and doubling down on our historic $236 billion plan to build roads, highways, transit and other critical infrastructure,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We’re proud to welcome Hitachi’s new technology centre and 1,100 good-paying jobs as they help deliver the largest public transit expansion in North America.”

“At a time of global uncertainty, Hitachi chose Toronto, and they chose Scarborough,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “For almost 50 years, Toronto engineers have built the technology that keeps trains moving in cities around the world. This new headquarters brings 1,100 good jobs to Scarborough and is a testament to our city’s world-class engineering talent. Toronto is a city of ambition, optimism and confidence, and that’s what global companies like Hitachi are investing in.”

Canada is making generational investments in public transit. Hitachi Rail is investing alongside governments and transit agencies to ensure more of the technology, engineering expertise and skilled workforce needed to deliver that infrastructure is based in Canada.

The new headquarters strengthens Canada’s sovereign transportation capability by anchoring critical signalling technology, engineering expertise and skilled jobs in Canada. Hitachi Rail’s ambition is to build on that base by localizing more of its global technology portfolio in Canada and creating new opportunities to export Canadian expertise internationally.

The headquarters also hosts around 100 paid interns each year, many of whom go on to become full-time employees. Hitachi Rail is also developing the next generation of Canadian engineering talent through partnerships with leading universities. With Ontario Tech University, Hitachi Rail is developing a first-of-its-kind Railway Engineering Specialization and, with McMaster University, a bespoke graduate program in Railway Engineering.

About Hitachi Rail in Canada

• C$30m invested in the new state-of-the-art Canadian headquarters.
• Base for 1,100+ employees and around 100 paid interns each year, with its wider Canada footprint including more than 1,300 employees and offices in Quebec, BC and Ontario.
• 5.5 floors spanning 125,000 sq. ft. - equivalent to more than seven NHL-sized hockey rinks.
• Home to the Global CBTC Competence Centre and the development of Seltrac™ Generation 9, through a C$105m investment to include AI + 5G in the product
• Sustainable building: LEED Silver certified building
• Hitachi Rail’s signalling business has been based in Toronto for almost 50 years. The new office strengthens Hitachi Rail’s ability to advance rail solutions and contribute to Canada's growing transportation sector.
• Hitachi Rail’s technology that was pioneered and developed in Toronto now helps move millions of passengers around the world, with SelTrac™ CBTC deployed on more than 150 lines in 70 cities.

About Hitachi Rail

Hitachi Rail is committed to driving the transition to sustainable mobility and has a clear focus on partnering with customers to rethink mobility. Its mission is to help every passenger, customer, and community enjoy the benefits of more connected, smooth, and sustainable transportation.

With a turnover of more than €7 billion and 24,000 employees in more than 50 countries, Hitachi Rail is a reliable partner for the world's best transport companies. The company's presence is global, but the company is local, with success based on developing local talent and investing in people and communities.

Its international expertise and experience cover every part of urban ecosystems, main lines and freight railways, from high-quality production and maintenance of rolling stock to digital signalling, payment systems and smart operations.

Hitachi Rail, famous for Japan's iconic high-speed train, leverages the digital and artificial intelligence expertise of Hitachi Group companies to accelerate innovation and develop new technologies.  

For more information, visit the hitachirail.com