What kind of
underground trains will the TTC buy next? That’s a double-edged
question now that riders are being asked to help design the next
generation of subway cars even as controversy dogs the proposed
“sole-source” purchase from Canada’s largest train maker.
The TTC is
negotiating with Bombardier to buy over $700 million in new trains,
one feature of which will be the ability to walk between cars
without passing through doors.
A group of
Toronto city councillors including mayoral hopeful Jane Pitfield
yesterday called on fellow councillor Howard Moscoe to resign as TTC
chair, and also demanded that the transit commission reopen the
contract to multiple bids.
They claim that
Moscoe should not have discussed the purchase with Bombardier, as
revealed in a letter from former TTC Chief General Manager Rick
Ducharme to the transit board before he was dismissed last week.
Moscoe tells In
Transit that he spoke with representatives of both Bombardier and
rival company Siemens, but before a “blackout” began -- discussions
are now limited to designated staff at TTC. He says Bombardier would
build the cars in Ontario, generating jobs and taxes. “Sole-sourcing
is a common practice in the transit industry”, he adds, pointing out
that the TTC has received the blessing to proceed from both Ontario
premier Dalton McGuinty and the previous Liberal government in
Ottawa.
The embattled
Moscoe says if negotiations do not produce a competitive price -- to
be vetted by a third party -- the TTC would then open the contract
to other bidders.
During
yesterday’s press conference, several of the councillors demanding
Moscoe’s ouster cited a recommendation that came out of a previous
computer purchasing scandal that city procurements be “free of
political influence or interference.” When asked, some of the
councillors stated they had recently met with officials from
Siemens, the rival manufacturer.
Regardless of
who gets the contract, riders are currently being asked what they’d
like to see in the proposed trains. A subway car has been modified
to show some possible new features, and will be on display at
various subway stations this month and next.
Until June 23,
the remade car will be parked along the southbound platform of
Davisville station from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. I advise you to arrive
early, in case the car is moved to accommodate rush hour trains.
Other stations where you can view the vehicle will be Finch,
Downsview, Kipling and Kennedy. Check
www.ttc.ca for a video walk-through, as well as dates.
Survey
questionnaires will be available at the open houses, and online.
Also pick up a contest form to submit your handy moniker for the new
subway trains.
To see what
others are saying about the proposed changes, search under “train”
at the www.torontoist.com
web site.