TTC expects loads of new streetcars to arrive this year

Toronto is about to see a lot more of the new streetcar fleet on the rails in the coming months. For all the initial buzz generated by the arrival of the slick Bombardier streetcars in Toronto, it's been a bit underwhelming to have only three of the low-floor vehicles on the street since their launch at the end of August.

That's set to change as Bombardier has agreed to produce the vehicles at a significantly increased clip now that a labour dispute has been settle at the company's Thunder Bay plant. According to the Globe and Mail, the TTC anticipates "25 to 30 new streetcars by the end of the year."

The rate of production will begin as two vehicles a month for spring and summer and then ramp up to four vehicles come the fall. Should the roll-out stay on schedule, both the Spadina 510 and Bathurst 511 routes would be operated primarily with the new cars. That won't help you when the cold has decommissioned cars on the 501, but it should offer a little bit of hope.

Photo courtesy of the TTC

by Derek Flack via blogTO