So we should leave the option price expire, the production line be terminated in favour of trusting the city council of the 2020s to make the call to build a smaller order of new cars which Bombardier or not will have a different supply chain and a price per unit significantly above the contract option price? I can't imagine who, apart maybe from people who would like to see a follow on order to be double ended, 20m long and powered by batteries made of unicorns, would trust this to end up with a better streetcar network.
I see you don't understand business and Toronto Council.
You don't throw good money at poor business who fail to preform as per contract while not knowing what the final cost will be until the contract is completed to see what it going to cost you going with the option.
Since TTC wouldn't see car #60 4461 until the fall this year that will be 2 years behind schedule, TTC has no funds in its current budget to order the option. June will see the first round of budget setting for 2018 get under way and given the fact council wants TTC to cut funding for 2018, funds will most likely not requested for the option for 2018. Council will most likely will tell TTC at budget time that until the contract is fulfill and all extra back charge cost are known, it will only then look at extra funds for the option then.
Since TTC has an white elephant to be built, the mayor will make sure there is funds to build it with others TTC projects will be taking a back seat including the the option for more cars to help pay for it.
Since the last car is due late 2019, only then will TTC know what the final back charge will be and what the final cost for the option be base on the deduction of the back charge, assuming BBD/Siemens accept the back charges.
I am sure if you are having reno done to your home you would bulk at any extra cost the contractor wants to finish the work. This could delay the work even if it written in the contract and if you don't pay the extra cost up front.
The earliest that TTC could go to council to ask for the funds for the option is 2020 without being told that TTC would not have scale back on other project before then to get that money.
The option will be for the same car being built unless some major changes take place for the system in the coming year and that will not be known until 2018.
Council has a bad track record for ordering the new fleet and it goes back to the late 90's. Even in 2005 they scale back the fleet since the bean counter said it should be and not do the 1:1 that should happen from day one do deal with growth and pend-up demand for more room and service.
Any contract for the option will most likely be a lot stronger written as well having a higher penalty clause in it that should have been there from day one.
BBD/Siemens will not scrap the assembly line once the last car rolls off the line knowing there could be more cars to be built.
If TTC ran like a company should be, BBD would not be building these cars today and looking at a nice lawsuit to cover the cost that TTC may have to pay extra to get the current fleet. They should gone out last years for bids on the option.
To do everything that TTC needs to do, it needs at least an extra $5 billion and where is that going to come from??