Print

E-mail

Text

The TTC will try again to purchase low-floor streetcars to replace its aging fleet and service the new Transit City light rail lines.

But commissioners approved the plan in the face of stark criticism from Bombardier, whose bid to provide the cars was rejected for technical reasons by commission staff earlier this summer.

The cars by Bombardier were rejected because they would require the TTC to file down existing streetcar tracks to work with the wheels on the company's design or be in danger of derailing on the tighter-than-normal turns located throughout the city.

TTC staff rejected the proposal that the tracks be altered and so rejected the bid to build the 204 cars.

On Wednesday, Aug. 27, the TTC approved a new bid process that would see more consultation between transit engineers and those of the bidding firms of which there are three: Bombardier, Seimens Canada and Alstom, a French manufacturer. Seimens and Alstom had declined to submit a bid in the initial process.

Bombardier Vice-President Mike Hardt was on hand and visibly frustrated, telling reporters his company had spent between $2 million and $3 million designing the car, and worrying the work they'd provided would give the TTC a "benchmark" in assessing the competing bids.

"We respond to requests for proposal from all around the world," Hardt said. "This is highly unusual in many regards. Not the least of which ... the TTC has our technical and commercial bid and now they're proceeding forward. Perhaps you (reporters) understand the clarity of how they're proceeding but we as a manufacturer and the world's leading car supplier do not."

The TTC and Bombardier will be meeting to dissect the problems with the bid. The company and the transit provider have a long and continuing relationship. The Quebec-based firm is providing the city with new subway cars.

But in the end, the city will be working with all three companies to find the best streetcar design in the new multi-phase bid process.

TTC Chief General Manager Gary Webster said the meeting was something the TTC "owed" Bombardier.

"Clearly some of the feedback we've gotten from Bombardier even though we've met with them and talked about our decision, they're not satisfied that they've had all their questions adequately answered," he said. "They're an important supplier in the world. They should have their day in court and we're going to meet them."

The new process will delay the purchase of the vehicles, which are expected to cost between $1.2 billion and $3 billion. Initially, the 204 vehicles will replace the existing, aging fleet of streetcars. There would be a further option to build 364 cars for the transit city fleet.

It's uncertain how long that delay will be.