Monthly reports to be released on Bombardier’s ION LRT status

Regional Council is placing more heat to the fire, to keep Bombardier on task to meet deadlines concerning ION LRT service in the region.

They approved a motion to publicize monthly reports at Regional Council meetings on how the transportation giant is doing to deliver the remaining vehicles to the region by June.

This comes after the launch date for ION service had to be pushed back from June to December because most of the vehicles haven’t arrived yet.

Regional Councillor Sean Strickland says many have expressed disappointment and concern about Bombardier’s ability to meet their deadlines.

He says at this stage, it’s important to keep the public informed more frequently.

“The game’s changed,” he said, “The project’s that much later. And if this causes Bombardier to be a little more accountable, a little bit more aware of how invested our community is in this program and in this ION, then I think maybe that’ll help them deliver on time.”

As for how these monthly reports will work, Strickland says staff gets weekly production reports from Bombardier.

“Staff will look at those production reports and put them into a format that will be easily understandable by council and the community,” he explained, “And then we’ll release them publicly.”

Only four of the 14 vehicles have made it over thus far.

The Region has already told Bombardier they intend to sue to recover the almost $25-million dollars in costs associated with the late arrivals.

“They have a contract,” Strickland adds, “They need to comply to that contract for the delivery of all 14 of our cars by June. And as far as I’m concerned, they’re going to make that delivery date.”

“But if they’re not, we’ll know sooner rather than later.”

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