The TTC's $1.2 billion contract with Bombardier to replace its 204 again streetcars has led to fierce competition to snatch up a "lucrative piece" of the contract. As reported by the
Toronto Star, if Vaughan company Sherwood Electromotion, wins the contract to assemble all or part of the motors for the new fleet of streetcars, hundreds of new GTA jobs would be created.
"Richard Williams, a project manager at Bombardier Transportation, said
three companies � Sherwood, which is primarily a motor repairer and
refurbisher, IEC Holden, a motor manufacturer, and Toronto-based
Ainsworth Inc., a supplier of electrical, communications, mechanical
and control systems � have all been "very entrepreneurial" in trying to
win a piece of the streetcar prize."
"All were very aggressive in trying to get into Bombardier because
this is a huge contract; it's (believed to be) the biggest tram
contract in the history of the world, 204 (cars and) there might be
more coming," he said, adding the car produced "could be used as a
platform for the North American market."
"There is no requirement
in the contract for GTA jobs but "naturally if we can re-invest the
monies into the Toronto area, naturally that's greatly appreciated by
the customer and by everybody," he said.
"Last June, after
Toronto city council passed a motion to ratify the deal which will see
the "light rail vehicles" built in Thunder Bay, Mayor David Miller told reporters: "This is probably my proudest moment as mayor of Toronto."
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Toronto Star