TORONTO, Ont. -The province, Metrolinx and the TTC have reached an agreement in principle that means the TTC will be the sole operator of the four new LRT lines.

The private sector will build the new lines and be responsible for maintenance costs.

“It’s a partnership that will deliver world-class seamless LRT transit that will transform this great city of Toronto,” TTC CEO Andy Byford said.

The TTC will supply the staff – the drivers, ticket-takers and vehicle maintenance workers – and it will have control of the entire operation, like the rest of the system.

“We were working through some issues (and) we had some bumps along the way,” TTC Chair Karen Stintz said. “We’ve arrived at a very good place and I think the results will be evident.”

“[Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli] and I felt that this joint press conference was important so that we could give confidence to the people of Toronto that these lines will be built. They will be built on time. It will be an integrated system. It will be a seamless system, and it will be a user-friendly system.”

Chiarelli says it makes sense for the TTC to be responsible for this part, “because of their experience and expertise, and Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx will be doing the procurement, the long-term maintenance and the financing of the projects.”

Chiarelli adds that TTC riders will only pay one fare regardless of where they board and travel to across the system.

The province is setting aside $8.4-billion to build the new lines.

Meanwhile, Quebec-based company Nova Bus says it has won an order to provide the TTC with as many as 153 articulated buses, in a contract worth up to $143-million.

The delivery of the first vehicle is expected to happen next year.