Bombardier has 'no comments' on new questions about TTC streetcar delivery

Bombardier is refusing to respond to new questions raised by TTC CEO Andy Byfordabout its ability to deliverstreetcars to the TTC on schedule.

On Wednesday, Byford told a meeting of TTCcommissioners that he has 22 of the new streetcars on the road now, and that Bombardier haspromised to deliver eight more by the end of the year.

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However, given their track recordso far, "I'm beginning to wonder if we will indeed get 30 by the end of the year," he said.

"I've had more schedules than streetcars, so I have a healthy skepticism,"Byfordsaid.

On Thursday, CBC News asked Bombardier to comment on Byford'sconcernthat the companymay not be able to deliver another eight streetcars by the end of this year, and his comment that their scheduling was "unrealistic."

"No comments"

"Thank you for your questions, but Bombardier has no comments on these statements," the company responded.

In additionto 30 cars by the end of 2016, Byfordsaid the current schedulecalls for another 40 by the end ofnext year, an additional 76 in 2018, and the full order 204 new streetcars by the end of 2019.

"They've delayed, delayed, delayed, but the end date doesn't shift," he told the commissioners Wednesday. "They're going to have to up theirgame."

He said Bombardier has said it's settingup a second production line at its Thunder Bay plant to fill the TTC order, but that line won't be up and running until early next year.

Late last year, the TTC voted to sue Bombardier over the delays.

In the past,Bombardier has blamed the delays on faulty parts from its supplier in Mexico, labour trouble, the intricate nature of the new streetcars and staff changes.