Some of the first streetcars delivered as part of a $1.25 billion order were so poorly manufactured that the TTC refused to accept them, CEO Andy Byford confirms to CP24.

The initial schedule for the delivery of Toronto’s new streetcar fleet called for 50 of the vehicles to be operating by now but so far only five have been put into service due to manufacturing delays.

According to Byford, those delays are at least partly attributed to the condition that some of the vehicles arrived in at first. Specifically, the vehicles included laminate that didn’t adhere to parts and under frames that were out alignment with the walls and had been riveted in place.

“It’s been a number of things and to be fair to Bombardier they are working with us. They know we are not happy customers and they are putting a huge amount of resources into getting this right,” Byford told CP24. “I would argue that our system works because the five that are in service are awesome. They are such good vehicles and that’s to Bombardier’s credit but until we get the quality right I would rather take the delay.”

According to a report in the Toronto Star, most of the early problems with the streetcars related to the fact that the European-design for the vehicles wasn’t working with the parts being supplied to Bombardier by a Mexican manufacturing facility.

Speaking with CP24, Byford said that Bombardier has since changed its “production methodology” and has begun producing vehicles “in much better condition.”

Nonetheless, Byford, said he will continue pressuring the company to live up to its contractual obligations and adhere to a revised timeline that will see it delivering one new streetcar to the TTC every five days as of this fall.

Byford added that the 2019 target for the delivery of all streetcars will not be revised.

“I am not so interested in applying fines and stuff like that. What I want is the new streetcars,” he said.

In a written statement issued by Bombardier Wednesday, the company said it has found that parts from some of its vendors did not meet the expected standards.

"...We are making sure that we fix these problems, to make sure we’re more efficient in the long run and deliver high quality vehicles." 

Bombardier claims it has been "open and transparent" about the quality issues, which have been discussed with the TTC.

"The cars that we have delivered to date have an extremely high reliability rating in service," the statement said.

Under the terms of the revised timeline, Bombardier is expected to deliver an additional 30 streetcars by the end of the year.

The arrival of the new streetcars should allow for full coverage on Spadina Avenue and Queen’s Quay and partial coverage along Bathurst Street.

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