Bombardier Transportation today announced that it has been selected by SNCF, French National Railways, to supply the future Ile-de-France commuter train, after a call for tenders launched in February 2004. The contract is for the delivery of a total of 372 trains that will operate on the Greater Paris / Ile-de-France suburban network, and includes an initial order of 172 trains valued at an estimated 1.35 billion euros ($1.7 billion US). The total value of the contract is estimated at 2.7 billion euros ($3.4 billion US). SNCF announced its decision at the conclusion of its Board meeting on 25 October 2006, convened to review the opinion of its contract committee.
Contract signing is expected to take place in the near future. Delivery of the first trains is scheduled to begin in November 2009 and continue until 2015.
The new train will be designed, manufactured and built at the Bombardier Transportation facility in Crespin, in the Valenciennes region, France.
Bombardier Transportation’s future Ile-de-France commuter train is an articulated train featuring extra-wide carriages which provide an unusually large internal volume for passengers, wide seats and especially wide doors to increase the ease and speed of passenger movement. Each train consists of seven or eight carriages in a single unit and can also be operated as a double or triple unit. The capacity of the trains will vary from 800 to 1,000 passengers, depending on the configuration and layout. The new train is designed for maximum comfort, safety and security and is based on Bombardier’s proven technology already in commercial service, offering a high level of reliability.
Commenting on the announcement, André Navarri, President of Bombardier Transportation, said: "We believe that this new train will transform the travelling experience for passengers in Ile-de-France and we are delighted to support the ambitious policy of STIF (transport authority of Ile-de-France) and SNCF to renew the Ile-de-France rolling stock.”
Jean Bergé, President Bombardier Transportation, France, said: “We are particularly proud of the confidence that SNCF has shown in us. This success confirms the role that Bombardier Transportation is currently playing in the field of regional railway transport in France. It is also a source of pride for the national railway industry”.
In France, Bombardier Transportation operates primarily at its Crespin factory in the Valenciennes region, which employs 1,600 people and is the leading French manufacturing site in the railway industry. Bombardier Transportation is involved in all TGV (high-speed rail) programs. The group manufactures a wide range of rolling stock for public transport. Among these products are the MF2000 vehicles for the Paris metro, the Marseille, Nantes and Saint-Etienne tramways, and the recent RER (commuter train) vehicles. Bombardier is a major player in regional transportation with its TER2N NG railcars and the AGC (Autorail Grande Capacité/high-capacity rail liner) which 21 French regions have ordered to date. Bombardier Transportation is recognized as a global partner of the transport authorities in France.
Bombardier Transportation has its global headquarters in Berlin, Germany with a presence in over 60 countries. It has an installed base of approximately 97,000 vehicles worldwide. The company offers the broadest product portfolio and is recognized as the leader in the global rail sector.
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, 2006, were $14.7 billion US and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
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