As Canada’s ALTO project, announced by the Canadian government in 2025 and featuring approximately 1,000 km of dedicated track for trains with a top speed of 300 km/h, moves forward, it has emerged that JR Central held talks with local parties amid expectations that European standards will be adopted.
The Canadian government announced high-speed rail project ALTO in 2025, outlining plans to develop approximately 1,000 km of dedicated track linking Toronto in Ontario with Montreal in Quebec, the capital Ottawa and the historic city of Quebec City. Construction is initially targeted to begin on the Ottawa–Montreal section in 2029. The project is led by the state-owned company Alto, while multiple companies are participating in Cadence, a consortium supporting design, construction, operations and maintenance.
Japanese transport industry sources say European railway standards are expected to be adopted and that Alstom is the leading candidate for the rolling-stock contract. Against this backdrop, the market is seen as one in which Europe has strong influence, while Japanese railway executives have indicated that barriers to entry are high.
However, people familiar with the matter revealed that Alto had invited JR Central executives to talks. According to the writer, who investigated local conditions, there is a convincing reason for the meeting. Depending on how events unfold, the way JR Central joins Alto and its role may change.