Metrolinx opts out of legal battle with Bombardier but won't let it bid to operate GO trains

Metrolinx has decided against appealing a judge's ruling that blocked the transit agency from its bid to drop a $770-million contract with Bombardier — but will exclude the Montreal-based company from bidding to operate GO Transit trains as it has done for more than 40 years.

Pushback from Metrolinx came after the rail manufacturer failed to meet its deadlines on the light-rail vehicle order.

• Judge blocks Metrolinx from cancelling Bombardier rail contract for now

• Metrolinx files notice to terminate Bombardier contract worth over $700M

Metrolinx spokesperson, Anne Marie Aikins, said the agency will now focus on resolving the conflict outside of the legal arena.

"Metrolinx is concentrating on the dispute resolution with Bombardier," Aikins said, adding that she couldn't provide an update on that front. 

The regional transit agency had wanted to get out of the contract because of repeated delays from the Montreal-based transportation manufacturer in living up to its end of the bargain to supply a prototype and a subsequent 182 vehicles for a planned transit expansion.

But Bombardier has said repeatedly that it will meet its deadlines for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project, which is slated to open in 2021.

Metrolinx said Friday that it will seek new operators after the current contract expires in 2023 to run its service, which will
quadruple in size.

Although it has had no problem with Bombardier's operations of its suburban and airport railway service, Aikins says it is looking for an international operator or consortium to run the enlarged service of 6,000 trains per week.

The new contract is expected to be awarded in about a year.