Honestly it makes total business sense to do this. If the TTC has reason to believe that Bombardier will not meet their obligations they have every right to want to find new suppliers.
Can you honestly expect them to wait another 10 years to complete the order (if it came down to it). We have no way of predicting how badly they will screw up so the TTC wants to hedge their bets and cover their asses.
Good on them.
You have taken my comment out of content and if you look back to 2015, you would see me calling for TTC since then to issue a tender for the option 60 cars, since TTC would see them before BBD fulfill their contract. I have no faith in BBD and look forward not seeing their name on the the tender list for the new order of subway cars that will happen sooner than later.
My comment that you used was in response to someone statement that it was Metrolinx fault for TTC cars being late. How did Metrolinx cause TTC order to be delay??
I am surprise that an RFI has gone out and long over due. BBD can't force TTC to fulfill the option to them for the extra 60 cars as its an option that can be change anytime. Given the fact that the current order is about 2 years behind schedule gives TTC the option to look elsewhere and many system have gone this route in the past for various reason. It has happen a few times this year for a few systems. At this time you got
Alstom,
Siemens AG,
CAF,
Stadler Rail AG,
CRRC Corp Ltd,
Kawasaki Rail Car Inc,
PESA,
Škoda Transportation as right off the bat that will/could look at TTC RFI. There are a few other that could be on the list as well.
Škoda Transportation as T15 is close to what TTC has today.
One question that should be asked, why BBD hasn't pickup an order since they blew Minneapolis order in the early 2000's??? Same issues as TTC then, related to welding and frames.
BBD has 6 days to ship 3 cars to comply with Sept delivery schedule and don't seeing it happening. Only 4 cars this month with 7 to come in Oct.
As for the option, it was supposed to happen in 2015 upon the arrival of the 60th car that is now schedule for Nov or Dec this year that is 2 years behind schedule.