Seattle, WA, USA--(Jobwerx News)--Bombardier Receives USD 100 Million light rail vehicles order for new RandstadRail project.

Bombardier Transportation announces that it has been awarded a contract from RET, the public transport operator of Rotterdam in The Netherlands, to design and build 21 Bombardier FLEXITY Swift vehicles. The contract is valued at approximately $100 million US (83 million euros) and includes an option for up to 21 additional vehicles. The new vehicles are scheduled to be delivered between January and November 2008.

EXTERIOR - Bombardier FLEXITY Swift light rail vehicle for Rotterdam, Netherlands (artistic rendering). Click on photo for Low Resolution image.

The light rail vehicles will be manufactured at Bombardier’s Bautzen plant in Germany, with electrical equipment being supplied by our facility in Mannheim and the bogies being produced at Bombardier’s plant in Siegen, Germany.

The vehicles will operate on the new RandstadRail system that will provide quick and comfortable transportation between Rotterdam, The Hague and Zoetermeer, and all the residential areas in between. The 21 new vehicles will be put in service by RET to connect Rotterdam with The Hague.

The proven concept of the vehicles is based on the 81 metros and sneltrams delivered by Bombardier to RET between 1998 and 2002. The main differences between the new vehicles and the existing ones are the new driver’s cab and interior design, as well as the three-car bidirectional configuration instead of the two-car version. Other differences include additional equipment for mainline operation, an air-conditioning system in the passenger area and several adaptations according to the latest European technical standards in the field of crashworthiness, fire protection, etc.

Pedro Peters, General Manager, RET said: “This new RandstadRail project is now becoming a reality. The modern and proven concept of the Bombardier FLEXITY Swift vehicles will certainly meet our passengers’ expectations in terms of comfort, safety, attractiveness, frequency, punctuality and reliability.”

Wolfgang Toelsner, Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Transportation, added: “This order underlines our long-lasting partnership with RET. The proven concept and good performance of our products in combination with Bombardier’s know-how, and the positive technical and operational experience of RET guarantee the effectiveness and reliability of these vehicles.”

INTERIOR - Bombardier FLEXITY Swift light rail vehicle for Rotterdam, Netherlands (artistic rendering). Click on photo for Low Resolution image.

The three-car vehicles have a total length of 42 meters with a passenger capacity of 270 (104 seated and 166 standees). Two such units can be coupled to double the capacity during peak hours. Every vehicle has two locations for wheelchairs, prams or bikes and seven double-sliding plug doors at each side of the vehicle. Passengers will benefit from an excellent ventilation and air-conditioning system, extremely low noise levels, comfortable seats, a modern information system as well as an attractive and spacious design.

Bombardier and FLEXITY are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

Bombardier Inc. is a world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment.