Toronto  — Streetcar Overhaul

Rail Transit Online, November 2006

Bombardier Transportation was the only firm to submit a bid for the overhaul and modernization of 100 Toronto Transit Commission streetcars.  The C$42-million deal calls for Bombardier to use new parts purchased by the TTC to rebuild or replace key components, such as the propulsion system, and add air conditioning to the fleet.  The total cost of the “life extension” program, which would run from 2008 to 2011, is an estimated C$140 million.  However, the union representing about 100 TTC maintenance workers is protesting the deal, fearing job cuts even though body painting and truck overhauls will be carried out at the transit agency’s streetcar shop.  TTC Interim Chief General Manager Gary Webster assured the union leadership there will be no staff reductions.  “All of the stuff we currently do well, we'll continue to do,” Webster told The Toronto Star, adding that Bombardier must do the majority of the work at its plant “…to make sure the propulsion system interfaces with the new air-conditioning system.  It's not like rebuilding a '55 Chevy.  You need a lot of engineering support to understand how those systems talk to each other.  Bombardier has accepted that responsibility and the risk.”  The contract must be signed by Dec. 6.