If I understand correctly, The Mayor's task force has proposed that at least several of the proposed LRT lines use diesel-electric propulsion in unbuilt up areas switching to full electric propulsion in built up areas and the tunnel.

Can someone point out if this technology is in use? Was it ever considered for the Chiarelli plan?

At one of the open houses on the Chiarelli plan, I queried one of the Siemens reps as to whether such an approach had been considered. IIRC he replied that no such system existed. Might such an approach to the Chiarelli Plan have reduced costs to the extent that the line coud have been extended from U of Ottawa to Hurdman?