Mobility minister: Spanish firm CAF willing to collaborate with Alstom on SNCB trains

The Spanish train manufacturer CAF is willing to collaborate with Alstom in Bruges to build trains for Belgian railway operator SNCB/NMBS. That announced federal mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke on Friday at the opening of a new SNCB workshop in Ostend. In this workshop, trains can be repaired and maintained much more quickly and efficiently.

Minister of mobility Jean-Luc Crucke had a meeting with the Spanish train manufacturer, which revealed that CAF wants to collaborate with Alstom on the 180 train units it will build for SNCB. Alstom didn’t get the contract and unsuccessfully challenged that decision before the Council of State. Trade unions at Alstom Bruges feared that not getting this contract would spell the end for the factory.

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The minister emphasised that the tender process had been fair and lawful. “SNCB is not allowed to give any advantage to national or international candidates,” he said. However, the minister has asked the Spanish company CAF to collaborate with Alstom in Bruges. He underlined the importance of local employment.

CAF has since confirmed that it is willing to enter into a partnership with Alstom. “CAF will enter into talks with Alstom's management in the near future,” said the minister. “If Alstom's willingness and capacity are confirmed and the economic cost remains in line with market conditions, this will be an important avenue to pursue.” The nature of the possible collaboration is unclear at this stage.

The minister made the announcement during the opening of a new SNCB workshop in Ostend, where trains will be repaired and maintained much more quickly and efficiently. This will mean that more trains will be available during peak hours, which should improve the SNCB’s punctuality. The Belgian railway operator invested 47 million euros in the workshop.

^{Federal mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke © PHOTO PHOTOPQR/VOIX DU NORD/PIERRE ROUANET/MAXPPP + a new SNCB workshop in Ostend © BELGA VIDEO MAAIKE TIJSSENS}

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