The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has announced that Bombardier Transportation Canada Inc has been awarded a contract worth a total of $1.22 billion (excluding taxes), for 204 new low-floor light rail vehicles (LRV), with a delivery date beginning in 2011.
The TTC purchased 248 streetcars in the 1970s and 1980s, and these vehicles now need to be replaced, as the ageing fleets are nearing the end of their useful lives. They are not accessible, their reliability is steadily declining, and maintenance costs continue to rise. The new LRVs will be low-floor, quieter, have features such as air conditioning for greater customer comfort, and be able to carry almost twice as many people as the TTC’s current streetcars do. The new vehicles will help address crowding on the TTC’s streetcar routes, and accommodate ridership growth.
Take a look at the video which explains the plans for the expansion of their rapid transit system to complement existing subway, street car and bus services.
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The Toronto Transit Commission moves 460 million people every year – about 1.5 million riders every weekday. The TTC is the third largest public transit system in North America serving some 4.5 million people in the Greater Toronto Area, with a network of subways, streetcars, buses, and a specialized service, Wheel-Trans, for people who require accessible transportation. The TTC is committed to meeting the growing needs of the region with subway and light rail expansion, carrying an additional 175 million riders by 2021.
