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| Basel tram acquisition latest filed on: 31.01.2006 (31st Jan 2006) According to an article in Basler Zeitung (baz online: 26th January), the tendering process for 55 new trams for BVB and BLT (see also 24.11.2005) has taken a new twist. According to the article, neither offer fulfills the criteria set. One manufacturer has quoted maintenance costs in Euros instead of Swiss Francs. Also, one of them is not offering to fulfill the demand of taking back the trams should they prove inadequate. The article does not provide any further clues as to which of the two companies (Bombardier or Stadler) is implied in either case. In view of this, the buyers are now entering into direct negotiations with the manufacturers. The buyers hope that a price reduction can also be achieved. Both manufacturers are prepared to negotiate. BLT director, Andreas Büttiker, representing the tram buyers, is quoted as being confident on a positive result being reached within the next three to four months. Buttiker also states that both designs offered are not totally new types but based on proven experience. source: Tram Forum Basel
See also: Webmaster comment: It is left to the reader to speculate which of the tram-makers might have failed which criterium (if I did you'd say I'm biassed). Is Stadler offering Variobahn, itself an ex-Bombardier (ex-Adtranz, ex-ABB) product? What is Bombardier offering? The Flexity (can it take Basel's curves?) or the Cobra (does Bombardier really want to sell it?) or anything else? Watch this space to stay informed. It is especially striking that a large order like that has failed to attract more (and more focussed) interest. Why have the manufacturers failed to meet the specifications? Is it arrogance, or is it insecurity in the post-Combino market?
This news item is from the 2006 newslog.
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