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Metrolinx recently agreed to enter into a contract with Sumitomo Corp. of America for the purchase of 12 diesel multiple units (DMUs) for $55.7 million. The DMUs will be used for the Air Rail Link (ARL) between downtown Toronto's Union Station and Pearson International Airport.

The ARL contract also includes an option to purchase six additional vehicles, which would bring the contract's value to $76 million. The DMUs are new to North America and will be built in the United States, but where possible, Metrolinx will work with Sumitomo to "optimize Canadian content," Metrolinx officials said in a prepared statement.

The DMUs will be Tier 4-compliant clean-diesel vehicles and will be designed to convert to electric propulsion. Metrolinx has received approval from the province of Ontario to begin the environmental assessment on converting ARL to an electric service.

The ARL service is slated to begin by 2015.