Flexity Outlook (Toronto streetcar)

The Flexity Outlook is the latest model in the rolling stock of the Toronto streetcar system owned by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Based on the Flexity vehicles used around the world, the new streetcars were first ordered in 2009 and were built by Bombardier Transportation in Thunder Bay and Kingston, Ontario, with specific modifications for Toronto, such as unidirectional operation and the ability to operate on the unique broad Toronto gauge (1,495 mm / 4 ft 10 7⁄8 in).

Flexity Outlook
Flexity Outlook 4403 on route 510 Spadina
In service2014–present
ManufacturerBombardier Transportation
Built at
Family nameBombardier Flexity
Replaced
Constructed2009–present
Entered serviceAugust 31, 2014[1]
Number under construction204 ordered[1]
Formation5 articulated cars
Fleet numbers4400–4603
Capacity70 (seated), 130 maximum[2]
Operator(s)Toronto Transit Commission
Depot(s)Leslie Barns, Roncesvalles Carhouse
Line(s) servedToronto streetcar system
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless Steel
Train length30.20 m (99 ft 1 in)[1]
Car length28 m (91 ft 10 in)[1]
Width2.54 m (8 ft 4 in)[1]
Height3.84 m (12 ft 7 in)
Doors4 (right side only)[1]
Articulated sections5[1]
Maximum speed70 km/h (43 mph)
Weight48,200 kg (106,300 lb)
Electric system(s)600 V DC[1] Overhead trolley wire[1]
Current collection methodTrolley pole,[1] pantograph[3]
Minimum turning radius10.97 metres (36 ft)[1]
Track gauge4 ft 10 7⁄8 in (1,495 mm) Toronto-gauge railways[1]

Since December 2019, excluding the TTC's heritage collection of a few older streetcars, the entire active streetcar fleet consists of the Flexity Outlook. They replace the Canadian Light Rail Vehicle (CLRV) and its articulated counterpart, the Articulated Light Rail Vehicle (ALRV), which were all retired in 2019.[4]

The Flexity Outlook is the first modern low-floor and wheelchair accessible streetcar used in the city. With a length of over 30 metres (98 ft), they are the largest streetcars ever used by the TTC. They have four sliding doors, air conditioning systems, seating for up to 70 passengers, and interior bicycle racks.[5][6] The new streetcars include two on-board fare vending machines (FVM) along with concession ticket validators, Presto readers and introduced the use of proof-of-payment (POP) system.

Line 5 Eglinton, a light rail line under construction, uses the similar Bombardier Flexity Freedom light rail vehicle, which—like the Flexity Outlook—is also a low-floor wheelchair accessible vehicle. The two models are not compatible for several reasons, including track gauge.

Specifications
Flexity Outlook vehicle

The vehicle is based on Bombardier's standardized Flexity Outlook product, which is also used in cities like Brussels, Marseille, and Geneva, but tailored to Toronto's needs. The vehicles use the TTC's track gauge rather than standard gauge, and trolley poles using 600 V DC for power collection. Other design requirements such as the ability to handle tight turning radii and single-point switches,[7] climb steep hills and valleys, clearance, and ability to upgrade into a more modern pantograph current collection system were factored into the design. The Flexity Outlook is almost twice as long as the TTC's older streetcars and has five articulated sections.[1]

Fare collection
The Flexity streetcars are equipped with fare vending machines and concession ticket validators located beside the middle doors
Presto readers are located at all Flexity streetcar doors for Presto card and Presto ticket customers.
Main article: Toronto Transit Commission fares

In the Flexity vehicles, a proof-of-payment (POP) system is used at all times. This is because the operator is not responsible for fare collection since the operator sits inside a closed cab.[8] Under the POP system, passengers are required to carry proof that they have paid their fares, such as a validated concessionary TTC senior, student or youth ticket; an adult one-ride ticket; a paper transfer; a Presto card; or a Presto ticket. This is enforced via random spot-checks by the TTC's fare enforcement officers, either aboard the vehicles or upon arrival at designated subway stations.

The Flexity vehicles are equipped with two fare vending machines (FVM) and concession ticket validators, which are posted at the second and third doors of the vehicle, where passengers can purchase and obtain one-ride tickets (which act as a customer's POP to transfer onto other TTC vehicles and routes) by cash (coins only; no change provided) or tokens, as well as validate pre-purchased concessionary senior, student or youth TTC tickets, which the passenger must retain as POP while riding (when transferring onto a TTC bus, or into an unpaid area of a subway station, the customer must deposit the validated ticket into a fare box and can obtain a paper POP transfer if needed). From January 2016 until December 2018, FVMs also accepted single-fare payments by contactless credit and debit cards. The Flexities were the only surface vehicles in the TTC network where this form of payment was accepted; however, this feature was removed because it caused FVMs to malfunction.[9] Since November 30, 2014, the Flexities have six Presto fare readers on them, where customers tap their Presto card or Presto ticket upon boarding to pay their fares or validate their two-hour transfer or TTC transit pass, with one at each door and two at each of the double-doors.[10]

Audible warning signals

The Flexity streetcars are equipped with both bell/gong and horn (which can be heard from both ends of the vehicle).

Instead of the mechanical gongs used on older vehicles, the Flexity vehicles use an amplified digital recording of a gong. They are also the first vehicles to have built-in electronic horns fleet-wide upon delivery, while most of the CLRV and ALRV streetcars had their horns installed in the late 1990s. Despite the Flexity vehicles being heavy-duty streetcars, the horns are similar to that of regular car-style horns.

Destination sign

The Flexity streetcars are the TTC's first streetcars to be outfitted with amber digital LED destination and run number signs rather than manually operated roller blinds used on older vehicles. The destination signs are posted at the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle, which identify the route number, name, and destination. Older vehicles only display the route number and destination. The Flexity streetcars also display two blue bullseye lights on the front to indicate that they are accessible vehicles.

Automated voice announcement system

As with all TTC vehicles, the Flexity streetcars have on-board automated audible/visual next stop announcements, which are broadcast over the vehicle's interior public address system and on overhead signs. They are also outfitted with external PA systems that announce the vehicle's route and destination, and – unlike other TTC vehicles – it can be used for live operator-based public service announcements. Instead of the human-recorded announcements found on the CLRV streetcars, the Flexity streetcars have a synthesized voice similar to the one used on the Toronto Rocket.

Accessibility

As the Flexity streetcars are the TTC's first low-floor streetcars, they are accessible for passengers using mobility devices. Only one step is needed to board at any door, and an extendable loading ramp for users in wheelchairs, strollers or other mobility devices is located at the second set of doors of the vehicle. The passenger can signal the operator to deploy the ramp by pressing the blue wheelchair accessibility button by the inside or outside of this door.[7]

The ramp has two modes: if the streetcar stop is alongside a curb or raised platform, only a short portion is extended (the operator can open the ramp either from inside the driver booth or from the outside of the vehicle); if only street level is available, the operator will exit the vehicle and a further length of the ramp would extend to allow access at that level.[7]

According to Greg Ernst, TTC's chief streetcar engineer, each Flexity streetcar deploys its ramp four times a day on average.[11]

Bike rack

The Flexity streetcars have a bicycle rack, which is located inside the vehicles by the third set of doors from the front and can store two bicycles.

Wheel squeal

The Flexity streetcars are equipped with an on-board wheel lubrication system to reduce squeal when the streetcars go around sharp curves. The TTC is also developing a wheel-mounted noise damping ring to further reduce high-pitch squeal, and hopes to begin prototype testing in the fourth quarter of 2017. The TTC is working to install improved lubrication system units at streetcar loops that are activated by the passage of a Flexity vehicle. These provide partial solutions to the problem. Other factors affecting wheel squeal on Flexity streetcars are:[12]

  • The sharper the radius, the greater the chance of squealing.
  • Weather conditions such as rain, humidity and temperature fluctuation can affect streetcar noise levels.
  • Rainfall and other forms of precipitation washes lubricant away.

Training

On September 29, 2014, Chris Bateman, writing in the Toronto Life magazine, described a new simulator that was being installed in the Hillcrest Complex to train drivers on the Flexity vehicles. It replaces an analogue trainer used to train drivers on the CLRVs. The system allows drivers to simulate navigating the TTC's entire streetcar routes, depicting landmark buildings and structures, including the CN Tower in the Railway Lands and El Mocambo at the northern end of Chinatown with most of the buildings along the simulated route being generic. The simulator has a full-scale Flexity cab with the windshield replaced by a curved computer graphics screen. The trainee in the cab can hear simulated street sounds. Connected to the simulator is a nearby trainer's station, from which a trainer can simulate problems for the trainee such as traffic interference, weather conditions and power outages. The simulator can track trainee errors.[13]

The same simulator was installed in 2016 at Leslie Barns, where most of the streetcars are being stored.[14]

Selection process
A mockup of the first three sections of the Flexity vehicle on public display in 2011

With the TTC's streetcar fleet nearing the end of its service life, the Commission began looking for a manufacturer to build new streetcars. In June 2007, the TTC launched a public consultation on the design of its new streetcars, including an online survey,[15] and displays at Finch and Scarborough Centre stations, the Albion Centre, and Yonge–Dundas Square. Mock-ups of the Bombardier Flexity Swift (as used in Minneapolis) and Siemens Combino Plus were on display at the 2007 Canadian National Exhibition in front of the Enercare Centre, then known as Direct Energy Centre.

On September 19, 2007, the TTC published their specifications for the "LF LRV", as they called the proposed new streetcars, which explained what they were seeking beyond that the vehicle would be compatible with the TTC's existing tracks, which required tight turning radii, good hill-climbing ability, and compatibility with single-leaf switches. The tender requested a tram/streetcar of 27 to 30 metres (89 to 98 ft), with multiple points of articulation, and three powered bogies.[16]

Though the document stated that the TTC would accept a well-designed 70% low-floor streetcar, it decided to seek a 100% low-floor design, with folding ramps that could be fitted at the doors to allow stepless boarding where platforms were not available. The fleet replacing the CLRVs and ALRVs was to remain single-ended with doors on the right only, and to retain current collection by trolley pole, but the TTC also requested that provision be made for future conversion to pantograph, and that the option of buying a bi-directional version of the streetcar for new lines be available. Provision was to be made for ticket-vending machines on board, rather than have the driver take fares.

Bombardier, Siemens, AnsaldoBreda, Mytram, Vossloh Kiepe, and Kinki Sharyo all expressed interest in competing to supply the new streetcars, but most dropped out of the bidding at various stages.[17] While the TTC expressed interest in the vehicles built by Škoda for the Portland Streetcar, that company did not submit a bid. Siemens gained a great deal of attention for its Combino Plus in 2007, with newspaper advertisements and a website, but eventually decided that "it was in [their] better interest not to bid". Only Bombardier and a small British firm, Tram Power, submitted bids.[18]

Bombardier had displayed a mock-up of the Flexity Swift built for the Minneapolis project but later offered a variant of the Bombardier Flexity Outlook to meet the 100% low-floor requirement,[19] promoting it with a website called "The Streetcar Redefined".[20] Tram Power's product was the Citytram, a prototype of which was being tested on the Blackpool Tramway until it caught fire on January 24, 2007.[21]

On July 18, 2008, the TTC announced that both bids had been rejected – according to TTC chair Adam Giambrone, Bombardier's entry "would have derailed on Toronto streets", while TRAM Power's was not "commercially compliant" – and reopened the contract.[22] Bombardier actively disputed this claim, adding that it could either supply a compliant vehicle or pay for CA$10.4 million of construction to make the TTC's track network compliant. The TTC entered into direct negotiations with three companies (Alstom, Siemens, and Bombardier) following its August 27, 2008, commission meeting.

On April 24, 2009, the TTC announced that it had chosen a customized version of the Flexity Outlook to replace the CLRV and ALRV fleet.[23][24]

On June 26, 2009, the Toronto City Council approved funding for 204 new vehicles and signed the contract with Bombardier.[25] The City of Toronto committed one-third of the necessary funds, and requested funding from the provincial and federal government for the streetcars. While the provincial government agreed to fund one-third of the project, the federal government was unwilling to provide any money before the June 27, 2009, deadline approached to finalize the contract with Bombardier. Finally, Toronto City Council voted on June 26, 2009, to commit the other one-third of the funding by deferring other capital projects, such that the funding formula became two-thirds municipal and one-third provincial funding.[26] The official contributions were announced by TTC Chair Karen Stintz at the unveiling on November 15, 2012. The Province of Ontario contributed $416.3 million, the federal government indirectly contributed $108 million through its gas tax fund, and the City of Toronto and TTC contributed $662 million, for a total cost of $1.2 billion.[27]

A partial mockup of the new streetcar was put on display at the Bathurst Hillcrest Complex for tours in November 2011. The first operating vehicle arrived in September 2012 and was unveiled to the public and media in November 2012.[28][29][30]

Beginning in 2013, the Flexity streetcars were tested on several routes, and the first two entered revenue service on August 31, 2014, on the 510 Spadina route.[31]

Delivery
TTC Flexity streetcar on 509 Harbourfront line at Exhibition Loop

Prototypes
Interior of the Flexity Outlook

The first vehicle arrived in Toronto on September 25, 2012, by rail from the Thunder Bay plant to Canadian Pacific Railway's Lambton Yard near Runnymede Road and St. Clair Avenue West.[32][33]

It was loaded on a flatbed truck/trailer and arrived at Harvey Shop at the Hillcrest Complex a few days later. Streetcar 4400 was the first of three test vehicles delivered for testing and technology verification. The carset has the same number as the wooden mockup streetcar. The new vehicle was unveiled to the public at the TTC's Hillcrest complex during a media conference on November 15, 2012.[34][35]

The TTC added a railway siding with an unloading ramp at the Hillcrest Complex for the unloading of Flexity streetcars shipped by Bombardier. (The ramp was not finished in time for the arrival of 4400.) A CLRV streetcar was used as a tractor to pull a new Flexity off of the railway flatcar and down the ramp.[36]

Prototype vehicles 4401 and 4402 underwent almost a year of extensive testing in Toronto. That testing triggered a change to the design of the loading ramps, over which a wheelchair used to tilt. The vehicles would only become TTC property when their ramps are retrofitted to the new design.[11]

According to then-TTC CEO Andy Byford, the first Flexity streetcars were so poorly manufactured, the TTC would not accept them for fear they would break down on bumpy city streets. At the Thunder Bay plant, when workers went to attach the under-frame to the sidewalls, they had found they were not square. To solve the problem, they wanted to rivet the two pieces together. The TTC rejected that solution, as according to Byford, rivets pop. There were still issues with loose screws, wiring and electrical connectors as of May 2015. To address these problems, Bombardier retooled its Mexican operation in Ciudad Sahagún, Hidalgo (a former Concarril facility) and implemented new quality-assurance processes at Thunder Bay.[37][11]

Revenue vehicles
Flexity Outlook on the King Street Transit Priority Corridor in 2019

In July 2014, a labour strike started at the Bombardier Thunder Bay plant. TTC spokesman Brad Ross said that despite the strike, the new vehicles would enter service on time even if there was only one new vehicle ready for fare service.[38] Bombardier workers voted to accept a new contract on September 12, 2014.[39] Tess Kalinowski, the Toronto Star's transportation columnist, wrote that the Bombardier plan had been scheduled to roll out a new vehicle every three weeks, but that measures would be taken to roll out three new vehicles per month until production was back on schedule.[40]

The Flexity streetcars 4400 and 4403 entered service on August 31, 2014, on the 510 Spadina streetcar line.[40][41][42][38][43] Streetcar 4403 was delivered on May 31, 2014. The TTC had hoped to start with six Flexity vehicles in 510 service but had to settle for just two because of production problems including the Bombardier labour strike.[11]

From 2014, Bombardier had supply chain problems resulting in situations of having too many of some components and stock-outs of others, the latter resulting in production delays. Each vehicle consisted of roughly 10,000 components.[11]

In September 2014, a month after the rollout of fare service on the Spadina line, Kalinowski reported that riders of other routes were expressing jealousy and impatience over the delay before new vehicles were ready to serve their routes.[40]

Before putting a newly delivered Flexity streetcar into service, the TTC tests its components, performs 600 kilometres (370 mi) of test running on the street, and installs the Presto fare machines. If the testing goes well, the TTC releases the new streetcar into service.[44]

Delivery problems

On December 19, 2014, Tess Kalinowski, reporting in the Toronto Star, wrote that Bombardier was behind schedule in delivering new vehicles.[45] By mid-December, Bombardier should have delivered 43 vehicles, but had only delivered three. Seven new vehicles should have been delivered in 2013. TTC CEO Andy Byford had warned Bombardier that he would insist that they meet the final schedule of all vehicles in time for new streetcars to replace the old fleet by 2019, or he would impose the penalty clauses in the delivery contract. One additional vehicle was expected to be delivered before the end of the year.

Natalie Alcoba, writing in the National Post, reported on January 28, 2015, that the Leslie Barns facility for the new vehicles was expected to be almost empty, when it opened later in 2015, because Bombardier had fallen so far behind in delivery.[46]

On February 23, 2015, TTC chair Josh Colle said Bombardier had agreed to deliver vehicles more frequently, and he expected a total of 30 vehicles to be delivered by the end of 2015.[47] That goal was only achieved one year later at the end of 2016.[48] According to the original plan, Bombardier was to have delivered 73 Flexity streetcars by the end of 2015.[49]

By mid-October 2015, Bombardier admitted it had another production problem at its Ciudad Sahagún plant in Mexico, the same one responsible for faulty under-frames and sides on the new streetcars. The new problem is the "crimping of electrical connectors" causing new production and delivery delays. To correct the crimping issue, Bombardier has to effectively check 20,000 wires per vehicle requiring about 13 to 16 extra shifts per vehicle. Bombardier hopes to make up for the delay in 2016, when it would produce one streetcar every five days.[50]

Welding at the Ciudad Sahagún plant was also causing production problems. There was an inadequate knowledge transfer from German staff. Until 2016, there was also a high turnover of Mexican welders because of better-paying jobs elsewhere. To address the problem, Bombardier had to hire more expertise and strive to retain plant staff. Six welding techniques were originally used to build Flexity components, but this was later reduced to two to simplify production.[11]

The earlier welding problems at the Ciudad Sahagún plant had an impact at the Thunder Bay plant.[51] Bombardier also had promised to deliver four more new streetcars in April with the commitment to have 54 streetcars running in Toronto by the end of 2016.[51] However, Bombardier backed off this promise, saying it would only deliver 16 new streetcars in 2016, that is, 13 more than had already been delivered by April 25, 2016, an average of less than two deliveries per month. Bombardier says it will use a second manufacturing plant in La Pocatière, Quebec, along with an additional assembly line in an unspecified location to help with production being completed in Thunder Bay. Bombardier hopes that the La Pocatière site will address the "dimensional issues with some parts and sub-assemblies" that delay delivery.[52]

On September 28, 2016, TTC CEO Andy Byford said that there were 22 of the new streetcars in operation, and expressed doubts that Bombardier would be able to meet its promise of 30 total deliveries by the end of 2016.[53] However, Bombardier shipped the 30th vehicle on December 14,[48] which arrived in Toronto on December 21.[54] With the TTC's permission, Bombardier shipped the last four Flexity streetcars of 2016 to the Hillcrest Complex in an almost-finished state and completed them at the Leslie Barns. Using the Leslie Barns helped Bombardier meet its 2016 delivery promise.[55] However, according to Bombardier's original delivery plan, there should have been 100 Flexity streetcars in Toronto at the end of 2016.[56]

In January 2017, the TTC claimed that delays in delivery of the Flexity streetcars had resulted in both streetcar and bus shortages. Because the old streetcars require extra maintenance, only 170 of the 200 old streetcars could be put into service. This shortage led to the replacement of streetcars by buses on some routes which in turn led to a reduction of service on some bus routes.[56][57]

According to its revised plan issued in May 2016 and still in effect as of February 2017, Bombardier would deliver 40 streetcars in 2017, 76 in 2018 and 58 in 2019 to complete the 204-vehicle order.[58][59]

On October 12, 2017, Bombardier issued a statement that it would deliver 35 Flexity streetcars by the end of 2017 instead of the planned 40 deliveries. The supplier cited supply chain problems. To address these problems, the company was setting up a second production site in addition to Thunder Bay, seeking additional suppliers and asking existing suppliers to increase their production.[60]

On January 1, 2018, the TTC announced that Bombardier had delivered 59 streetcars to date instead of the 65 it predicted in October 2017 or the revised prediction of 63 from December. Thus, Bombardier delivered 29 streetcars in 2017 instead of the 35 predicted in October. In a December 21 email to the Toronto Star, Bombardier said it was still "mitigating issues in our supply chain". However, according to Bombardier's original delivery plan, there should have been 150 Flexity streetcars in Toronto at the end of 2017.[61] TTC interim CEO Rick Leary revealed that the TTC is working on a contingency plan in the event that Bombardier misses the 2019 deadline. This is a break from the official stance of the former CEO, Andy Byford, who maintains that Bombardier will meet the 2019 deadline.[62]

In February 2018, Bombardier announced it would set up a second production line in Kingston, Ontario to complement production at its Thunder Bay plant. The Kingston production line would require at least 100 new Bombardier employees and would start production of Toronto Flexity streetcars in the third quarter of 2018. With two production lines, Bombardier plans to deliver 65 streetcars in 2018, and 77 in 2019.[63]

In early July 2018, Bombardier announced it was recalling 67 of the 89 Flexity streetcars already delivered in order to correct a welding defect. The work is needed to allow the streetcars to last 30 years, their contractual service life. Some welds were not properly fused in several areas of the vehicle, such as on the bogie and the articulated portals. Bombardier will do the corrective work at its plant in La Pocatière, Quebec, with each vehicle requiring 19 weeks to repair.[64] On September 7, 2018, Flexity 4400 was the first to be pulled from service and sent by rail to La Pocatière. Bombardier expects to return it in June 2019. After fixing the first four or five vehicles, Bombardier expects a quicker turnaround for subsequent vehicles. Prototype 4401 had already been sent to La Pocatière in May 2018, but it was never in revenue service as Bombardier had not yet modified it to TTC requirements.[65] Originally, the last affected streetcar was to be returned to Toronto by 2023. However, due to the decline in ridership in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the TTC was able to send 22 instead of 7 streetcars at a time back to Bombardier for warranty repairs. Thus, the TTC expects all warranty work to be completed by the end of 2021.[66]

As of December 31, 2018, the TTC had 117 Flexity streetcars available for revenue service with four more approved for delivery. Bombardier had promised to deliver 121 streetcars by the end of 2018.[67] Bombardier had invested $20 million to increase production capacity, and began to produce Flexity streetcars at its Kingston facility in December 2018 (three months later than planned) as well as at Thunder Bay.[68]

The TTC has encountered door and communications problems with the delivered units. Units fail on average after 12,500 km (7,800 mi) of service when they were supposed to remain fit for service for 35,000 km (22,000 mi). Bombardier planned to resolve this problem in early 2019.[68]

At a TTC board meeting on October 24, 2019, Bombardier said it lost money on the TTC order for Flexity streetcars, as customizing the Flexity Outlook model for Toronto's environment was not as easy as Bombardier had expected. The difficulties were adapting the vehicle to the non-standard track gauge, grades and sharp curves of the system, and replacing the type of steel used in order to resist salt corrosion. Another problem was the inadequate knowledge transfer of skills from Germany to the Bombardier plant in Mexico. At the time of this announcement, Bombardier had shipped 188 streetcars to Toronto and expected to ship the remaining 16 by the end of the year. However, Bombardier admitted that one of its suppliers, that produced doors and braking systems among other components, was having production difficulties.[69]

As of January 1, 2020, the TTC was awaiting the delivery of the final two Flexity streetcars of its 204-vehicle order. Bombardier had promised to have all 204 vehicles delivered by this date. Seven Flexity streetcars remained sidelined and were sent back to Bombardier to correct welding issues.[70][71]

On January 24, 2020, the TTC took delivery of the last of the 204 Flexity Outlook streetcars ordered from Bombardier. Streetcar 4603 was delivered by rail to the Hillcrest Complex from Bombardier's Thunder Bay plant. The last streetcar was a little over three weeks late, as Bombardier had promised to deliver the last car by the end of 2019.[72] Railway Age reported that just eight of the vehicles had been completed in Bombardier's Kingston plant; Bombardier had planned to have 30 vehicles manufactured there.[73] Streetcar 4403 was delivered as a prototype and was sent back to Bombardier in May 2018 for conversion to TTC requirements; the modified streetcar was delivered on May 11, 2020.[74]

On October 16, 2015, the TTC announced that it has asked its board to consider legal action against Bombardier. TTC staff is recommending that the TTC board "commence legal action, or make a claim allowed for already in the contract, of $50 million for late delivery" against Bombardier. Bombardier had committed to delivering 67 streetcars to the TTC by October 2015, but only ten were in service at the time.[50][75]

On October 28, 2015, the TTC board voted in favour of a lawsuit against Bombardier "for at least $50 million to recoup lost costs", according to Chair Josh Colle, because of the company's failure to deliver the additional Flexity streetcars.[76][77] TTC chief executive Andy Byford indicated that he was not interested in the money per se, and simply wants the streetcars. In a statement late that afternoon, Bombardier responded that it would not comment on the TTC's plan and would not offer "any speculation on potential impacts" on their operations.[78] In April 2019, the TTC and Bombardier reached a settlement for an undisclosed sum.[79]

Order options

As early as June 2013, TTC CEO Andy Byford expressed the need for the TTC to order an additional 60 vehicles.[80] According to a 2015 TTC report, the extra vehicles would address rising streetcar demand due to residential growth downtown. The option for 60 additional vehicles would cost of $361 million. The TTC can purchase an additional 60 vehicles at the current price, if the additional vehicles are ordered before the 60th vehicle is delivered. In September 2016, the TTC Board rejected the recommendation citing the Bombardier Flexity delivery delays, the extra cost of keeping the old fleet running, and the possibility of buying buses at a lower price with federal funding. Byford said that using buses instead of streetcars was inefficient due to capacity differences. TTC Chair Josh Colle said not considering the option is part of "our ongoing dramas and pressures with Bombardier."[81]

The Flexity contract originally specified the installation of pantographs only for the first 60 vehicles. On February 24, 2014, the TTC exercised an option to put pantographs on the remaining 144 vehicles at a cost of $4,492,048.32.[82][83]

Rollout

The Flexity streetcars were first introduced on the 510 Spadina line on August 31, 2014,[42] with a full conversion to Flexity streetcars since January 3, 2016, making it the first fully wheelchair accessible TTC streetcar line in the city.[84]

The following table presents the rollout dates for Flexity streetcars by route. However, it does not give the current vehicle status for a route; for current streetcar route status, see Toronto streetcar system § Routes.

RouteDate of introductionRemarks
510 Spadina August 31, 2014[42]
509 Harbourfront March 29, 2015[85]
514 Cherry June 19, 2016[86] Operated from June 19, 2016, until October 7, 2018, when this route was discontinued and was replaced by two branches of the 504 King route.
512 St. Clair September 3, 2017[87]
504 King January 2, 2018[88] Some service started earlier: in January 2017 on weekends and holidays only,[87][89] and on weekdays from December 4, 2017, to address increased ridership as a result of the King Street Transit Priority Corridor[90]
501 Queen January 6, 2019[91][92][93] Weekend service using the new Flexity streetcars began in September 2018; Flexity service seven days per week – mainly between Humber Loop and Neville Park Loop – began on January 6, 2019, and was extended to include full-time all-day service from Humber Loop to Long Branch Loop on September 1, 2019.[94]
511 Bathurst c. 2015 There is no definitive date for Flexity rollout on 511 Bathurst. They were used seasonally on several occasions from 2015, such as during the 2015 Pan American Games between July 10 and 26, 2015, and during the Canadian National Exhibition every summer since then.[95][96] Flexity service started full-time on December 29, 2019, after the retirement of CLRVs from route 511.[97]
508 Lake Shore September 3, 2019[98]
506 Carlton October 13, 2019[99]
505 Dundas April 20, 2020[100]
503 Kingston Rd June 22, 2020[101]

On September 12, 2017, 509 Harbourfront became the first streetcar route to operate Flexity streetcars with electrical pickup by pantograph instead of trolley pole. However, carhouse movements still had to be made using the trolley pole with the changeover at Exhibition Loop.[3]

Maintenance

The two existing carhouses had been designed to service the older high-floor streetcars with most equipment located under the vehicle floor, as opposed to low-floor vehicles with equipment located on the roof. They also did not meet the sufficient capacity to store all of the 30-metre (98 ft) Flexity streetcars.

A new building was constructed at Roncesvalles Carhouse on the Queensway at Roncesvalles Avenue to service the Flexity vehicles. On November 22, 2015, the TTC opened the Leslie Barns facility, at the corner of Leslie Street and Lake Shore Boulevard East, exclusively to service the Flexity vehicles.[82]

The TTC has set a target of 35,000 kilometres (22,000 mi) between failures for the Flexity streetcars, compared with about 7,000 kilometres (4,300 mi) on average between failures on the old fleet.[37]

Operational history

On February 20, 2018, the use of trolley poles on Flexity streetcars led to dewirements and damaged overhead infrastructure at the grand union intersection of King Street and Spadina Avenue, and along St. Clair Avenue. The trolley pole shoe contains a carbon insert to provide electrical contact with the overhead wire and to lower the shoe to clear overhead wire hangers. Carbon inserts wear out and must be periodically replaced. The inserts on Flexity vehicles quickly wore out in rainy conditions, lasting less than eight hours instead of the expected one to two days for rainy weather. Flexity streetcars draw more current than the older CLRV/ALRV fleet, and this also shortened the life of the carbon insert. Converting Flexity routes to pantograph use is the ultimate solution.[102]

In a heavy rainstorm on the evening of August 7, 2018, nine Flexity streetcars were damaged by flooding. Two streetcars were severely damaged after being partly submerged under a flooded underpass on King Street west of Sudbury Street after a flash flood blew a manhole cover. These two streetcars were sent to Bombardier's plant in Kanona, New York for restoration and replacement of damaged electrical components. Two other substantially damaged Flexity streetcars would be stored at the Leslie Barns for few months to effect repairs by Bombardier staff. Five others had only minor damage and were repaired within a few weeks. None of the damage was due to manufacturing problems. The TTC has since revised operating procedures to avoid flood damage to streetcars.[103]

As of early 2019, Flexity streetcars have not been meeting expectations for reliability. The mean distance between failures (MDBF) for Flexity streetcars is expected to be 35,000 kilometres (22,000 mi). (MDBF includes only those failures that delay service by five minutes or more.) However, in March 2019, the MDBF was 13,223 kilometres (8,216 mi), a decrease of 1,554 kilometres (966 mi) from March 2018 and a decrease of 81 kilometres (50 mi) February 2019. Failures have occurred for the hydraulic brake system, doors, propulsion systems, wheel flange lubricators, among other parts. According to the May 2019 TTC CEO report, "Bombardier has developed various vehicle modification programs to help improve reliability." Despite these problems, the TTC's is satisfied with the overall performance of the Flexity fleet, especially in winter.[104][105]

On November 27, 2019, the TTC replaced all 35 Flexity streetcars operating on route 501 Queen with approximately 90 buses because of damage to the emergency brake system on 25 streetcars serving the route. The Flexity emergency brake system has metal bars that sit parallel to the rails and drop to the rails during hard braking in order to supplement the streetcar's disc brakes. A stationary object on the ground struck the metal bars on the left side of 22 streetcars travelling route 501. Some metal bars were knocked off the streetcar, raising the risk of a derailment. The problem was compounded by an insufficient supply of replacement parts to repair all damaged vehicles. On November 28 and 29, the TTC ran test vehicles along the line with cameras pointed at the metal bar and determined that a 15-centimetre (6 in) piece of broken rail was the cause of the problem. The TTC suspected that the problem might have resolved itself during routine track maintenance. Route 501 service resumed on November 30 with spare CLRVs used to offset Flexity streetcars yet to be repaired.[106][107][108]

In January 2020, the TTC planned to reduce streetcar frequency by 25% because the Flexity streetcars can carry more passengers than the older vehicles. Thus, a route that used to operate with a frequency of 5 minutes with older streetcars would operate with a frequency of 6 minutes and 15 seconds with Flexity streetcars. To compensate for the lower frequency, there would be less crowding on the longer Flexity cars, and running fewer streetcars is projected to save the TTC $45 million per year in labour costs.[109]

As of January 2020, after the retirement of the older CLRV/ALRV fleet, there will be insufficient streetcars to service all streetcar routes for the foreseeable future, and the continued use of replacement buses will be required. Also, on routes that do use streetcars, buses may supplement streetcars during busy periods. Starting in 2021, the TTC projected it would need 60 additional Flexity streetcars at a cost of $420 million to satisfy growth in ridership to 2026. This cost may be financed through an approved property tax increase.[109]

In February 2020, Bombardier informed the TTC that falling behind in maintaining its Flexity fleet could cause premature wear and higher rates of breakdown, and impact warranty coverage. The TTC had paused the vehicles' maintenance program in October 2019 due to the workload required to deal with Bombardier's welding repair program and to address broken brake shoes caused by a track defect. The TTC expected to resume the program in April 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant reduction in ridership as well as to clear up a 25-car backlog within six months. The maintenance program applies to Flexity streetcars that have been in service for two years and involves inspecting components such as gear box, driver controller, power unit, and doors.[110]

  • New taller building at Roncesvalles Carhouse to service extra roof-mounted equipment
  • View of the roof with trolley pole lowered and pantograph raised at Hillcrest Complex

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