Today, Bombardier Transportation, along with other representatives of the Yongin LRT Consortium, marked the start of construction of the EverLine Rapid Transit System in Yongin City, Republic of Korea. Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc., participated in the groundbreaking festivities, accompanied by Raymond T. Betler, President of Bombardier Transportation, Total Transit Systems, and senior Canadian Government representatives from Korea and Canada. Minister Byung-Jik Choo, Ministry of Construction and Transportation, presided at the afternoon celebration, joined by Jeong-Moon Lee, Mayor of Yongin City, and other Korean public officials.
In July 2004, the City of Yongin awarded the Yongin LRT Consortium, of which Bombardier Transportation is the lead member, a 35-year Build-Transfer-Operate (BTO) concession contract for a fully automated 18.5-kilometre rapid transit system. The Yong-In LRT Consortium comprises Bombardier and Korean civil works contractors Daelim Industrial Co., Ltd., Hanil Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. and Korea Development Corporation, as well as Korean electrical and mechanical system contractors Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd. and Iljin Electric Co., Ltd.
"We are very proud to be part of Yongin City’s vision to introduce the first driverless transit system to South Korea, "said Laurent Beaudoin at the prestigious ceremony. He added: "Our signature advanced rapid transit (ART) technology offers unique operational and environmental features that will greatly benefit the communities it serves while preserving the natural beauty of the region."
Raymond Betler, President of Bombardier Transportation, Total Transit Systems, said: "This historic occasion denotes the finalization of the EverLine system design. We are appreciative of the excellent relationship that we enjoy with our Korean partners and look forward to making this project an outstanding success, as well as to pursuing future transportation opportunities with our Korean colleagues."
The mostly elevated system will also feature the Bombardier CITYFLO 650 automatic train control technology. The new line will serve 15 stations, linking the Seoul Metropolitan subway, via Yongin City, and will terminate in the Everland area, one of the world’s largest amusement parks.
Bombardier is the world leader in designing and supplying automated rapid transit systems, monorails and people movers for urban and airport applications. Its driverless ART technology, thoroughly proven in over 70 years of combined operations in Canada, Asia, and the USA, offers unprecedented system reliability. Successfully deployed ART systems include Vancouver SkyTrain, the longest driverless system in the world; New York City’s 13-km AirTrain JFK, where Bombardier is providing up to 15 years of operations and maintenance services; and the 29-km Kuala Lumpur Kelana Jaya line in Malaysia, which has carried over 200 million passengers since opening to passenger service in 1998.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2005, were $15.8 billion US and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
Bombardier and CITYFLO 650 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
AirTrain JFK and SkyTrain are Trademarks of third parties.
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