Transit City LRVs To Be Built By Bombardier
It was announced today by Metrolinx that the option in the TTC’s order for Light Rail Vehicles with Bombardier would be exercised for the procurement of the Transit City fleet.
Here is the press release:
Metrolinx will be entering into formal negotiations with Bombardier Inc. to exercise the option from the replacement streetcar contract to purchase Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs).
The negotiations with Bombardier to procure LRVs are part of Metrolinx’s phased plan which is being developed for the four Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects as requested by the Province.
In June, 2009, following an open competitive procurement process, Bombardier was awarded the original contract to produce vehicles for TTC’s legacy streetcar replacement. This contract contains an option clause that provides Metrolinx with the ability to purchase additional LRVs from Bombardier for the four LRT projects.
Over the past six months, Metrolinx, with the assistance of the TTC and the international transit car expert LTK Engineering Services, evaluated its procurement alternatives. Metrolinx, with the unanimous support of its Board of Directors, concluded that entering the negotiation to exercise the option would obtain the best value for Ontario.
If the negotiations are successful, Metrolinx will announce the details of the procurement when an agreement is reached.
This announcement conveniently mentions that it is for four LRT projects under its new phased plan. This suggests that none of the four lines (Sheppard East, SRT conversion, Etobicoke-Finch West, and Eglinton-Crosstown) have been cancelled, just merely had their implementation schedules stretched out.