TORONTO Transit Commission and Bombardier Transportation formally signed a C$548m sole-source contract on December 21 for the supply of 234 new subway cars for delivery in 2009-11.

The 39 six-car sets are intended to replace around 200 cars used on the Yonge - University - Spadina Line, which are now around 30 years old. Manufacturing and final assembly will be carried out at Thunder Bay, with some stainless-steel bodyshell elements coming from La Pocatière.

The new stock will be the first in North America to have wide inter-car gangways giving unrestricted movement throughout the train. They will also have an electronic information system with automated audio station announcements and an active map displaying journey details.

• With Bombardier submitting the only bid for overhaul and modernisation of 96 light rail cars, TTC Chairman Adam Giambrone said on December 27 that the Commission is reviewing the proposed C$245m overhaul programme and may instead decide to replace all 195 vehicles at an estimated cost of C$600m.