Today, at a special meeting of Toronto City Council called by Mayor John Tory, Council voted unanimously in favour of the purchase of 60 new TTC streetcars. The new streetcars, funded by the City, provincial and federal governments, will add critical capacity to Toronto’s transit system.
Earlier this month, the City of Toronto, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada announced a $568 million investment to purchase 60 new streetcars and make the necessary upgrades to the TTC’s Hillcrest Complex, where vehicles are housed and maintained. Along with $180 million from both the federal and provincial governments, the agreement includes a $208 million investment from the City. The new streetcar funding represents a significant investment by all three orders of government in a critical component of Toronto’s transit network.
Yesterday, TTC Board also voted unanimously to amend the TTC Capital Budget and Plan to expand the new streetcar purchase to 60 from the original 13 approved and funded by Council last year.
The TTC’s Streetcar Program aims to improve health and economic outcomes for people across Toronto, with particular benefit to those who rely on public transit as their primary or only transportation. Accessibility features will be included as part of the new vehicle order, including a fully low-floor design, priority blue seating and both audible and visual stop announcements that are internal and external to the vehicle.
The full Council report is available on toronto.ca.
Quotes:
“In total, this is a $568 million investment from all the governments with a $208 million investment from the City of Toronto. Half a billion dollars invested in our transit system because we led the charge, we worked together, we got a good deal, and now City Council has approved that deal which will ensure 60 new streetcars will be on our streets starting in 2023. This keeps our transit system strong and we know a strong transit system will be crucial in the wake of COVID-19. This is about better transit, it’s about jobs, it’s about a greener Toronto and it’s about connecting people to opportunities through transit. Thank you to Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister McKenna, Premier Ford, Minister Mulroney, Minister Surma, and TTC Chair Jaye Robinson for working together to move this forward. It really does show what is possible when governments work together and when Council is strong and united.”
– Mayor John Tory
“On behalf of the TTC Board, I would like to thank our government partners for this landmark investment in Toronto’s streetcar network. In addition to purchasing a total of 60 new streetcars, the TTC will also be proceeding with necessary upgrades to Hillcrest Facility. Investing in new streetcars serves a dual purpose: it ensures that we are prepared to meet forecasted fleet requirements, while also allowing us to reallocate the 50 buses that currently supplement streetcar service to priority routes throughout the city.”
– Councillor Jaye Robinson (Don Valley West), Chair of the TTC Board
“I want to thank our funding partners, the governments of Canada, Ontario and Toronto, for their significant investments in Toronto’s transit future. As the City continues to grow, the TTC will be an essential part of ensuring it does so in an environmentally friendly way. Currently, streetcar service on a number of routes is being supported by 50 buses and this investment allows us to reallocate them back to the bus network where they are needed. These new vehicles and the associated infrastructure mean we can plan for, and address, our longer term streetcar needs.”
– TTC CEO Rick Leary
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