It is stated that as the ALRT Mark 1 vehicles “are no longer manufactured,” the line must be rebuilt to accommodate the larger Mark 2 vehicles. This is not correct. Transit cars are all “built to order,” and while there can be cost synergies in combining with another order, trains are not build on continuous assembly lines like cars or planes. Toronto’s replacement streetcars are a special design, to match the geometry of Toronto’s tracks. Certainly, TTC could procure replacement cars of the size and
performance of the Mark 1 cars, if it wished to avoid the cost of rebuilding stations and curves. The cost per car would probably be higher, but total project cost might well be less. There is no evidence TTC or Metrolinx has considered this option, or enquired with Bombardier whether they would be prepared to build additional cars to the Mark 1 dimensions. The BCA notes that the line would need to be closed for at least 8 months for rebuilding. While it may make sense to upgrade the line for the larger Mark 2 cars, for other reasons, replacement with new cars built to the Mark 1 size could avoid any need to close the line down.