COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES REPORT RECOMMENDING BOMBARDIER FOR NEXT GENERATION OF STREETCARS

Commissioners unanimously approved a report recommending Bombardier Transportation Canada Inc. build 204 fully accessible Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) to replace the TTC’s aging fleet of streetcars and to provide for ridership growth and congestion relief efforts. A contract award to Bombardier Transportation Canada Inc. is contingent upon funding. The contract stipulates a minimum 25-per-cent Canadian content requirement.

Assuming a contract award in May 2009, the delivery of the new LRVs would begin in mid-2011 and be complete by 2018. The new vehicles will be approximately 28.2 metres long, compared with 15.4 metres for a CLRV.  It has four doors, 62 fixed seats and six flip-down seats at the two wheelchair locations.  It is a 100-per-cent, low-floor vehicle that has many user-friendly features. It will be air-conditioned and equipped with interior bike racks.

TTC STAFF PRESENTS LYTTON ACCIDENT CORRECTIVE ACTION CHECKLIST

Commissioners received for information a status report on the 2007 Lytton subway workcar fatality. Twenty four of the 30 recommendations on the Management Corrective Action Plan Checklist have been resolved. The remaining six items are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010. On April 23, 2007, Workcar Operator Antonio Almeida lost his life on the job in a tragic industrial accident in a subway tunnel.

SUBWAY RE-SIGNALLING CONTRACT AWARDED

The Commission considered and subsequently approved the award of a contract worth $57.5 million for the design and supply of a radio-based Automatic Train Control (ATC) system. The re-signalling of the Yonge-University-Spadina line with state-of-the-art equipment will improve safety, capacity, operating efficiencies and cost effectiveness over the entire 32-station line. By replacing the aging, fixed-block signal system with ATC technology, the TTC can schedule more trains on the line to travel closer together and therefore carry more riders.

TTC BUSES BECOME MOVING CANVASSES

Commissioners received an update on the Youth X Press Project sponsored by Arts for Children of Toronto. Original art murals created by youth in priority neighbourhoods are on display on the sides of buses in the Victoria Village/Warden Woods and Jamestown communities. The Arts for Children of Toronto is a registered charity that brings children and youth together with art.

TTC, TRANSIT CITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS

Commissioners approved two reports dealing with the acquisition and transfer of property. One report approved the start of property acquisition for Transit City maintenance and repair facilities. A second report approved the start of a process to transfer 11 TTC surplus properties to Build Toronto.