Toronto Mayor John Tory is endorsing an idea from deputy Mayor Denizil Minnan Wong that the Toronto Transit Commission look beyond Bombardier the next time it needs new streetcars.

Minnan Wong says other light rail companies may want to compete for future contracts because the current supplier, has a history of missed delivery deadlines.  He calls the company’s word “less than reliable.”

Mayor Tory agrees and says having a back-up plan is never a bad idea.

The TTC says Bombardier is back on track with a revised delivery schedule and expects to receive the 43rd new street car this month.

Under the terms of the original contract, Bombardier was to have delivered some 130 of the new cars by now, but at this point has received just 39.

The current $1 billion order from Bombardier is for 204 streetcars, with an option to purchase an additional 60 vehicles.