The TTC's staff is expected to ask the Commission for approval Thursday to begin negotiating with three manufacturers for the purchase of 204 low-floor streetcars.

Alstom Transportation Inc., Bombardier Transportation Canada Inc. and Siemens Canada Limited were described in a TTC press release as "known and proven manufacturers of low-floor light rail vehicles."

The negotiation for the $1.25 billion project comes more than a month after the bidding process to build the streetcars was cancelled after the only two bids received were "non-compliant."

The TTC hopes to replace its fleet of streetcars starting in 2012, with new accessible models.

The low-floor streetcars are able to carry riders who cannot board conventional vehicles, such as those using wheelchairs or scooters They also make it easier for those who require additional assistance like seniors and people with strollers.

The manufacturers will need to meet technical and commercial requirements before competing in price as well, as part of the multi-phase bid process.

The manufacturers are also expected to include 25 per cent Canadian content in the new vehicles.