Portugal: The winner is Swiss Stadler, which has already announced its signing a framework contract with the Portuguese capital’s metro operator for the manufacture and supply of up to 36 three-car units.
Meanwhile, CRRC’s bid was 14.2% lower than Stadler’s, €115 mln vs. €134 mln, with an initial price of €138 mln.
The tender’s estimated value was below €250 mln, while the European Commission establishes control over tenders above this threshold, according to new public procurement rules. The Commission has devoted closer attention to tenders and purchases of assets due to expansion of the EU market by Chinese companies.
Lisbon Metro has not commented on reasons in favour of Stadler. As for the Swiss manufacturer, it plans to supply the ML 24 metro trains similar to those delivered to Lisbon under a 2021 contract for 14 such vehicles. The three-car metro trains automated to GoA2 and featuring a capacity of 540 passengers will be manufactured at the Valencia site, Spain.
