Mayor Rob Ford snubbed the city’s newest fleet of streetcars, set to roll out on city streets this fall, at a press conference announcing renewed funding that will help expand the fleet.

At a press conference held at the TTC’s Hillcrest complex to announce the renewal of the federal Gas Tax Fund — $8.1 billion for the province’s municipalities — Ford praised the city’s plans for subways and the Scarborough extension.

But the fund isn’t earmarked for that project — which the federal government has already pledged financial support for. The fund will see $171 million go directly to streetcars, said TTC CEO Andy Byford at Friday’s event.

“As you know friends, I am fully committed to expanding Toronto’s subway system,” said Ford, inexplicably wearing his chain of office which is typically reserved for special ceremonies. He touted new subway cars and modernized buses. Ford made no mention of streetcars after earlier this week restating a wish to see them phased out.

“Today’s gas tax funding announcement takes us one step closer to a new, better, faster transit system,” Ford said.

Byford said he is not interested politics when asked about Ford’s streetcar snub.

“The main thing for me is do we have stabilized funding,” Byford said. “I’m delighted that we can now plan with more confidence and we can go out and purchase vehicles with some confidence in the future.”

He said rolling out the new streetcars on Spadina Ave. on Aug. 31 is a priority going forward.

Councillor Maria Augimeri, TTC chair, questioned whether Ford understands the “realities” of Toronto transit.

“We’re very proud of our streetcar fleet. It gets people moving,” she said. “They’re the lifeblood of Toronto.”

Augimeri said Ford’s plan to remove streetcars from Toronto streets would cost $2 billion, because the streetcars would be difficult to sell off and the new streetcars already purchased would have to be sold as used vehicles.

Finance Minister Joe Oliver avoided questions on Ford’s controversial behaviour and his ability to work with the federal government, calling their relationship “businesslike.”

Ford did not stop to pose with officials in front of a new streetcar parked in the TTC yard. He later returned to city council, no longer wearing his chain of office.