Nov 11, 2011
The TTC will give riders a chance to step into their new streetcars starting this Saturday.
A replica of the front half of the light rail vehicles are on public display at their Hillcrest yard. The TTC will be offering frequent bus shuttle service to Hillcrest from Nov. 12 until Nov. 15.
The modern streetcars are low-floor to ensure full accessibility, air conditioned, and will carry almost two times the number of passengers current streetcars can hold.
There will also be passenger safety alarms —like those on subways, and cameras on the vehicles sending images to the drivers video screen.
It is also the first vehicle that has pay-at-the-door technology so riders can use smart cards, debit or cash to pay.
Six year plan
The TTC hopes to have this new fleet on the roads within the next six years.
TTC Chair Karen Stintz said the significant investment was very much needed to meet the growing needs of the city.
“We’ve made a significant investment in these streetcars and we need them to modernize our system,” Stintz says. She says the TTC will have to find a way to get money for the vehicles despite budget cuts.
The TTC awarded a contract to Bombardier in June 2009 for the streetcars.
The public was consulted about the design that is set to replace the 30-year-old ones in use.
Tribal Interloper 