WATERLOO REGION - Regional councillors voted 11-1 Wednesday in favour of purchasing 14 light rail trains from Bombardier for about $92.4 million.
The Region of Waterloo has branded its light rail system the ION.
Both critics and supporters were in the audience for Wednesday’s vote.
Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran was the sole vote in opposition, citing concerns about costs. Halloran voted against rapid transit in June 2011.
“I’m very concerned that now is not a good time to be expending this amount of money,” she said.
Halloran said the vote should be put on hold because the region is predicting a difficult 2014 budget.
The $92.4 million includes costs associated with the trains such as spare parts and contingency. The region budgeted $95 million for all of those items, putting it about $2.5 million under budget. The cost per train is on par with prices paid by several other cities.
“Other needs for money can always be questioned,” said Coun. Tom Galloway. “There’s risks along the way - there’s always going to be risks when you’re dealing with a large infrastructure project like this.”
Two delegations spoke in favour of the move, one spoke against and another made suggestions about the technology.
Ted Livingston, founder of mobile app Kik, spoke against the plan. He’s started a petition at Change.org to try and stop the project.
Several petitions have been started in the past.
“I was always very pro-LRT,” Livingston said. “Then I saw a picture of what the light rail transit would look like . just a glorified bus moving up and down King.”
Livingston said he isn’t sure trains are the right solution and wants councillors to look at more options.
Several councillors said the project is a done deal.
“ION is now on its way and we will not be turning back,” Coun. Jim Wideman said.
Tim Mollison of the Tri-Cities Transport Action Group applauded council on the train purchase.
“This is a good example of the very prudent financial management we have seen so far on the execution of this project,” he said.
The region’s $818-million rapid transit project is being funded with up to $265 million from the federal government and up to $300 million from the province. The region has budgeted $253 million for its share.
The first train is expected in the region in July 2016, with the remaining delivered at the end of that year.
Each light rail vehicle is expected to have five cars. The Bombardier vehicle has doors on both sides, 56 seats and can carry more than 200 people.
“This is the most significant decision we have made since we first approved it,” Coun. Sean Strickland said.
Light rail trains will run 19 kilometres from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park mall in Kitchener. Construction is expected to be finished in 2017.
Councillors decided in June 2012 to piggyback on an existing contract that Crown corporation Metrolinx has with Bombardier instead of putting out a request for proposals.
The region’s train order will be added to a contract Metrolinx has to buy light rail vehicles for the City of Toronto. Officials said it would lower costs, keep the project on schedule, improve vehicle reliability over a longer period and offer an opportunity to share parts and knowledge.
A prototype of the Bombardier train will be unveiled at a media event Friday at regional headquarters.
Saturday, the public is invited to check out the train from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the headquarters, located at 150 Frederick St. in Kitchener.
The costs
•$65.5 million for 14 trains
•$11 million for contingencies
•$6.5 million for spare vehicle parts
•$7 million for special tools and equipment
•$140,000 for approved variation orders
•$2 million for a letter of credit in case Bombardier doesn’t deliver
•Taxes
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