BART has made their decision in who they think should head its $2.5 billion train replacement project and shockingly it’s not coming from a US company. As the Ex reports, Canadian firm Bombardier finished with the top score from BART’s 31-month bidding process.
The lengthy process weighed eight different criteria and narrowed BART’s decision to three firms before it went with Bombardier, a company known for its work spanning the world over. But, as the Chron reports, the contentious decision has many crying foul over outsourcing.
As the Bay Citizen reports, Bombardier has agreed to build 66% of the 775 new cars needed in the US, as under federal law 60% of each train BART buys must be manufactured in America to qualify for funding. Bombardier narrowly beat French firm Alstom by producing a lower budget and a high technical score.
Though Bombardier recently came under fire for having to recall 54 trains for Chicago Transportation Authority, BART is confident. That recall came after the firm installed defective parts made by a Chinese supplier, also causing a replacement of parts on CTA’s entire order of 706 new cars.
Says BART assistant general manager Paul Oversier, “These things happen and they happen to all carmakers. Overall Bombardier has a good record.”
Want more news, sent to your inbox every day? Then how about subscribing to our email newsletter? Here’s why we think you should. Come on, give it a try.
