Bombardier awarded contract for rail line in China

Source: Exec Digital Canada

Date :8/30/2007 10:20:31 AM

Bombardier Transportation has received a contract for rail signaling equipment in China from systems integrator China Railway Signaling and Communications Corp.

The 66 million euros contract involves the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of Bombardier Interflo Level 2 onboard and wayside signaling equipment for China Railway Signaling and Communications Corp. (CRSC) and its customer the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MOR).

The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is a signaling standard being deployed in many European countries. Bombardier is bringing its ERTMS Level 2 signaling technology to the Chinese rail market.

The new signaling system for China will manage very high-speed (VHS) traffic traveling at speeds up to 300 km/h along nearly 1,000 kilometers of rail line between the cities of Wuhan and Guangzhou. The system is scheduled to enter commercial operation in January 2010. The contract involves a 15-year cooperation agreement between CRSC and Bombardier.

The Interflo 450 ERTMS Level 2 signaling solution for the line will consist of 120 onboard systems for 60 VHS train sets and nine Bombardier EMI Com RBCs (radio block centers) for the line and stations. It will also provide signaling support on interface specifications and interoperability.

The system will be developed at Bombardier Transportation Rail Control Solutions sites in Sweden and Thailand, and will include technology transfer so that the final units for the contract can be built in China. Product design will be carried out in Sweden and China.

André Navarri, president of Bombardier Transportation, says, “We are very proud to participate in the very high speed railway programme, and to support our customers MOR and CRSC in supplying our advanced systems and equipment to the Chinese railways. This contract reinforces our excellent business relationship in China and further demonstrates the customer’s confidence in Bombardier.”

Anders Lindberg, president, Bombardier Transportation Rail Control Solutions, says, “As pioneers of ERTMS technology and following our recent successes in Sweden and the Netherlands, we are extremely proud to win this prestigious order which secures Bombardier’s position as the number one supplier worldwide in ERTMS and also brings ETCS Level 2 technology to China.”

Jianwei Zhang, president and chief country representative, Bombardier China, adds, “Through its participation in a number of challenging railway projects in China, Bombardier has earned an excellent reputation and has gained a great understanding of the specific needs of the Chinese railway market. This order secures the strategic relationship with the MOR for Bombardier, as state-of-the-art signaling technology provider.”