ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[Pheidippides]

North lot of Waterloo Town Square - October 15, 2015

[timio]

The southern crossings at UW are closing next week for track installation (E5, University Plaza North and University Plaza South). Alternate crossings are north of E5 or University.

[BuildingScout]

The southern crossings at UW are closing next week for track installation (E5, University Plaza North and University Plaza South).  Alternate crossings are north of E5 or University.

Track is advancing very slowly there, about 15-20m per day. Don't know what is the hold back.

[KevinL]

Conestoga Mall Station, October 15

[Markster]

Well, yesterday they were working on laying track at UW station, and that's a little more complicated
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Track laying at <a href="https://twitter.com/UWaterloo">@UWaterloo</a> station. Meanwhile, pedestrians blaze needed trails around E5 <a href="http://t.co/JEowPobPf5">pic.twitter.com/JEowPobPf5</a></p>&mdash; Mark Jackson-Brown (@Markster3000) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markster3000/status/654713516197187584">October 15, 2015</a></blockquote>

[Markster]

Well, only tangentially related to ION...

But looks like the TTC is getting fed up at the constant delays for the new Streetcars, and staff recommends that the TTC sues Bombardier:

TTC staff will also recommend to its board that it commence legal action, or make a claim allowed for already in the contract, of $50 million for late delivery

Fun fact:

There are just 10 new streetcars available for service in Toronto today. Based on the original contract schedule, 67 of 204 new streetcars on order should be serving TTC customers

[Markster]

Gauntlet track at UW station.

[numberguy]

Well, only tangentially related to ION...

But looks like the TTC is getting fed up at the constant delays for the new Streetcars, and staff recommends that the TTC sues Bombardier:

TTC staff will also recommend to its board that it commence legal action, or make a claim allowed for already in the contract, of $50 million for late delivery

Fun fact:

There are just 10 new streetcars available for service in Toronto today. Based on the original contract schedule, 67 of 204 new streetcars on order should be serving TTC customers

That is huge, very strongly worded rebuke.

Based on the original contract schedule, 67 of 204 new streetcars on order should be serving TTC customers. The eleventh new streetcar is not scheduled to be shipped to Toronto until Oct. 21. Bombardier is stating the TTC will now see a total of just 16 streetcars in-service at the end 2015. Given Bombardier’s failure to meet past commitments, the TTC has no confidence in this latest schedule.

TTC CEO Andy Byford has advised TTC Chair Josh Colle and the TTC board of this development. He is recommending that the board now bring forward a deferred staff report to its Oct. 28 meeting regarding future sanctions that may be levied against Bombardier.


I hope Grand Linq has stronger penalty clauses and contingencies in place.

[Canard]

GO isn't having any trouble getting their new cab cars off a parallel line at Thunder Bay, and the TTC is thrilled with the performance and delivery of the TR's. I wouldn't read too much into this. If there's a problem, GrandLinq or the Rapid Transit team at the Region will let us know. Until then, it's pure speculation (and hurtful and damaging speculation, to be quite honest).

[Drake]

Anyone want to comment on the likely hood we will have a rail network and no trains?

"Bombardier has informed the TTC that its latest promise to deliver 23 new streetcars by the end of the year will not be met. The company is now saying it will have 16 of the low-floor vehicles in service by New Year’s Eve, but the TTC said it’s lost all faith in Bombardier’s promises.

“Given Bombardier’s failure to meet past commitments, the TTC has no confidence in this latest schedule,” the transit service said in a statement.
If Bombardier had stuck to its original delivery plan, the TTC would have 67 of 204 new streetcars in operation by now. Instead, it only has 10."

-- Financial Post October 16, 2015

[Canard]

Anyone want to comment on the likely hood we will have a rail network and no trains?

Comment: Not very likely.

[KevinL]

I hope Grand Linq has stronger penalty clauses and contingencies in place.

Well, the train purchase was negotiated by the Region, well before Grandlinq was selected, so it's their need for strong protections.

But given how 'off the shelf' the Flexity Freedom (our unit) is, I have fewer worries.

[GtwoK]

Catpoles in place almost completely along Charles now! All that are missing are a few in front of Cameron Heights. On Borden, catpoles are ALMOST there — maybe 5 more to go on the way up to Charles.

On the corner of Charles / Stirling, blocks have been delivered for the retaining wall here. It's about time, because I'm fairly sure this hill was dug up before most others, but is the last to receive a retaining wall.

I would hazard to guess Charles will be completely repaved (not counting Francis – Victoria / Benton – Queen) by mid November.

[Drake]

I hope Grand Linq has stronger penalty clauses and contingencies in place.

Well, the train purchase was negotiated by the Region, well before Grandlinq was selected, so it's their need for strong protections.

But given how 'off the shelf' the Flexity Freedom (our unit) is, I have fewer worries

Did we not get in on Toronto's purchase to qualify for some kind of bulk discount? Are we not getting the same trains?

[Canard]

FLEXITY Outlook = 204 Custom Toronto streetcar with all the delays

FLEXITY Freedom = 182 (Metrolinx) Eglinton Crosstown + 14 ion standard North-Amerocan spec LFLRV's