Bombardier gave multiple reasons streetcars are late, TTC chair says

Bombardier offered multiple reasonsit's so far behind on delivery of new streetcars to Toronto, the chair of theToronto TransitCommission says.

Josh Colletravelled with TTC CEO Andy Byfordto the company's manufacturing plant in Thunder Bay to sit down with executives for a progress report.

Sixtyof the state-of-the-art transit vehicles which are built by the company's plant in Thunder Bay were supposed to be rolling through Toronto by now, but only five are currently in service.

• TTC boss 'not happy' about new streetcar delivery delays
• 5 cool things about Toronto's new streetcars

Colle saidBombardier cited everything from changes to their production line to the intricacies of the vehicle to staffing changes.

It all sounded excellent, he said. "My question was why is this only happening now?" he told host Matt Galloway on CBC Radio's Metro Morning.

'Business as usual'

Colle said he wants to receive the new vehicles at a rate of one every five days at some point this summer.

The TTC paid billions for 204 streetcars from Bombardier in 2009.

Colle said he wishes there wasmore leverage in the contractbut notesthe company has paid $50 million in penalties. They're alsoputting their option for a further 60 streetcarsabove the first204at risk, he said.

Bombardier declined an interview request, saying the meeting with the Toronto officials was "business as usual."

Collesaid he disagrees, and that the company realizes the "reputational damage they may be doing to themselves."

He said he thinks the visit and the media attention it's received is a motivator for the company.

"The true test will be when we receive the next one," he said.