[PRCo] Our NeighboUrs in Toronto

[TEP]

 As you found out from the TTC web reference they have ordered 204 30m
(100ft) long multi-section, 100% low-floor broad-gauge streetcars. Prototype
delivered at the end of 2011 with others following, order completed in 2014.
$5.2 million each--including inflation and interest costs. There are rumours
that the quantity might be cut to save costs.
The Toronto regional transit authority MetroLinx has also ordered 175 near
identical cars (but standard not TTC gauge) for the proposed Light Rail
network. This network has been scuppered my the new anti-streetcar mayor who
wants subways instead. Now that the cost of this change is apparent--and
un-affordable, some LRT lines are back in the plan but the number of cars
required will be less.

Rumours mention the possibility that Ottawa could use 80 of these on its new
12.5 km (8 mile) light rail line. However it depends on which of the three
competing consortia wins the Ottawa design-build-maintain contract as to
whatcars are purchased. The Ottawa LRT line takes over the middle section of
the busway (Transitway) with a new tunnel under downtown. It is unusual
because ridership will be extremely high from day one in 2018, in the order
of 12,000 ppphd, or over 150,000 riders each weekday. A third new LRT system
is planned for Ontario in Kitchener, but the Hamilton proposal seems to have
died.

Just to complete the Canada picture, Edmonton and Calgary are busy expanding
their light rail systems and Vancouver finally got the financing for its 4th
rail line last year, the Evergreen line, which will use the SkyTrain (ALRT)
linear motor technology and track brakes as distinct from the last line to
open--the Airport or Canada line, which uses classic subway cars with rotary
motors. All Vancouver lines are driverless and now carry almost 500,000
passengers each day. The bus system has also expanded, my two main bus
routesrun every 2 minutes in the peak, every 5-10 minutes until 1 am then
every 15-30 minutes through the night. There are now 1400 buses versus 800
when I first moved here. (280 trolleybuses).
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Tom Parkinson TEP 5 73 2007-04-17T20:06:00Z 2011-04-19T16:50:00Z 1 29 171 1
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