The first round of new Toronto streetcars assembled in Thunder Bay weren't accepted due to manufacturing problems, says the TTC.
In an article by the Toronto Star, TTC CEO Andy Byford said laminate wouldn't adhere to parts and under-frames weren't aligned with walls, leaving the Thunder Bay Bombardier plant with no choice but to try and rivet the Mexican parts together.
The TTC wouldn't accept the cars out of fear that the rivets would pop on Toronto streets.
The company says it has already spoken with the TTC about the issue and is working to fix it. Out of the expected 50 cars that should be operating right now, there are only five.
Bombardier says it is still on schedule to fill the 204-car order by 2019.
Unifor Local 1075 president Dominic Pasqualino said it has been a struggle for workers in Thunder Bay either waiting for parts to come in or having the right parts.
"We've been living it every day," he said.
"If anything we seem to be resolving some of these issues. We have a good crew here in Thunder Bay."
"The parts really aren't coming in fast enough and they're still not perfect but I would say that we're heading toward the right direction."
The work is still way behind though. Car eight was recently shipped out while cars nine and ten are still on the floor Pasqualino said. It's been a tough job but he said he trusts the quality of work will be there.
