The initial contract tasked Kinkisharyo with producing a base order of 78 light rail vehicles. In August 2012, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority chose Japanese firm Kinkisharyo International to produce its new fleet of light rail vehicles, in part due to the company’s reputation of delivering on time. Kinkisharyo had previously built 62 light rail cars for Seattle’s Central Link from 2006-2010. “It’s always the case that when you first start production of a complex vehicle like a light rail vehicle that you’re ramping up,” said Kinkisharyo spokesperson Coby King. By contrast, it wasn’t until June 2015 when the TTC had received and put in operation six of its new streetcars.

Source: thestar October 10, 2016 01:18 UTC