Metrolinx confirmed November 3 its notice of intent to terminate its $770-million contract for up to 182 Bombardier LRVs.
Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins' full statement: "Metrolinx has issued a formal notice of intent to terminate our LRV contract with Bombardier. To clarify: we have not cancelled our order nor our contract with Bombardier. We filed a notice of intention to terminate which does not mean it is cancelled or may be cancelled. We have taken the next step available to us through our contract. We will continue to work with Bombardier on this issue and we will deliver on our transit commitments. Given that Metrolinx is in a legal process with Bombardier, we are not in a position to offer further comment at this time."
That contract was signed in 2010, with the vehicles planned for LRT lines in Toronto, including the $5.3-billion Eglinton Crosstown.
In an email to the Toronto Star, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca added:
“I know that there has been some concerns about Bombardier’s performance as there have been significant quality and manufacturing issues that, to-date, have not been resolved. As a result, we have taken the next step available to us through our contract. We will continue to work with Bombardier on this issue and we will deliver on our transit commitments.”