TTC says 67 of its new Bombardier streetcars need repairs
Toronto’s transit commission says the majority of its new streetcars have to be returned to their manufacturer for repairs.
The first 67 streetcars out of 89 produced for Toronto by Bombardier Transportation will be sent back for preventive repairs of “inferior frame welds,” TTC spokesman Brad Ross said Wednesday.
The defect poses no safety risk “in any way,” he added.
“(Bombardier) advised us last fall,” Ross said. “We directed them to develop a program for repair that will permanently fix the cars while minimizing service impacts.”
The streetcars will be returned three or four at a time, and will all be fixed by 2022, Ross said.
Bombardier will cover the cost of the repairs, which will take place at its Welding Centre of Excellence in La Pocatière, Que., spokesman Eric Prud’ homme said.
“Welding issues are not uncommon in the industry, but, in this case, Bombardier has been proactive and responsible to ensure the cars meet the expected longevity, all in full transparency with TTC and their riders,” Prud’ homme said.
Some 25 to 30 employees will work daily on this maintenance program until it is completed, delaying some of the planned layoffs, he said.
Bombardier has been contracted to provide the TTC with a total of 204 streetcars by the end of 2019, Prud’ homme said.