ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[trainspotter139]

Technically they could have delivered 3 & 4 by now. Those two have been ready to ship for 2+ weeks.

Technically yes, but that wasn't the commitment. Technically we were supposed to have 14 trains a 10 months ago. Neither technicality one helps our current situation; only results matter at this point.

That's like ordering a 14 course meal at a restaurant and having it sit in the kitchen; what good is it to you there? Except in this case we called the restaurant 4 years ahead because we heard so much about the establishment's locally made specialty and wanted to make sure we got to try this local delicacy before a larger group's reservation runs the kitchen staff off their feet.

Sure, they dropped off the first course of the meal, but it was day old bread that didn't live up to the long hyped expectations, but now the rest of meal is done. You can see it, smell it, but can't quite touch it yet, and now you can't get the server's attention, and now you're getting  h-angry.

That analogy falls pretty flat. You wouldn't ever have a larger group at a restaurant taste-testing the smaller group's meal. Nor would you ever have an unforeseen bug in the software that makes your meal taste good (food doesn't have software). 

The following is an non-exhaustive list of logical reasons why Bombardier could be delaying our vehicles now (this list might not even include why they are delayed):

1. An unforeseen bug in the Operating Software discovered during testing that could: 
   
   1. Cause controls to be locked out resulting in the inability to apply brakes.
      
   2. Cause controls to be locked out resulting in the inability to apply throttle.
      
   3. Cause the operating software to crash resulting in the application of the emergency brakes and require a system reboot.
      
   4. Cause the doors to malfunction resulting in injuries to passengers.
      
   5. Cause the door lockout brake to engage/disengage when undesired.
      
2. Metrolinx or Bombardier could have requested the use of the vehicles for multiple-unit testing (2,3,4 vehicle trains) since Metrolinx only has 2 pilots.
   
3. A material deficiency in a part found during high-speed testing requiring replacement.
   
4. A material deficiency in the test track resulting in a delay to track testing.