New twist in the contract for the renewal of 146 RER B trainsets, won on January 13 by the Canadian company Bombardier Transport in association with the Spanish CAF.
Its terms and economic viability have been questioned for several weeks by Alstom, an unsuccessful candidate… and new owner of Bombardier.
The manufacturer of the TGV filed a judicial summary appeal before the administrative court on January 25, contesting an additional element in this order.
"
RATP's notification of rejection to Alstom is incomplete
“, Is the opinion of the French industrialist.
Since then, Alstom has completed the acquisition of Bombardier Transport and is taking over the contracts in progress.
Potentially that of the RER B, negotiated by RATP, agent, on behalf of a consortium associating it with SNCF Voyageurs and Île-de-France Mobilités, the transport manager in the Paris region.
“
From the start, Alstom has had doubts about the technical and financial viability of Bombardier's offer
,” explains Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom.
This offer shows a difference of 600 million with that of Alstom.
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The group therefore filed on Monday with the administrative court of Paris a request for conciliation.
It is a question of “
checking together, with the RATP and the Île-de-France, whether or not this offer is feasible
, underlines Henri Poupart-Lafarge.
A contract like this lasts about ten years.
Before embarking on this adventure, sitting around the table for two weeks, I find that it is not a luxury
”.
The first trainsets are due for delivery in 2025. “
A few weeks of discussions will have no impact on the schedule,
” says Alstom.
When questioned, the RATP declined to comment.
“
RATP has an interest in accepting mediation because the contract awarded to Bombardier Transport and CAF before the takeover by Alstom does not include any binding clause to be signed.
If Alstom does not sign, the contract is null and void,
”says one in Alstom's entourage.
If mediation is refused, the appeals are reactivated and the summary arguments will take place on February 5.
