In the coming weeks, the French train manufacturer Alstom will build the last M7 double-decker railcars for the NMBS/SNCB railway company in Bruges. The last of the 751 ordered cars is expected to be ready by the end of the year, but after that, it is a complete unknown – or at best, full of question marks – as the future of the factory and the approximately 500 people who work there remains unclear.
Similarly, the agreement by the Spanish company CAF, which secured an order for 180 train sets from NMBS/SNCB at Alstom’s expense, to collaborate with the factory in Bruges remains rather vague for the time being.
23 railcars still to be delivered
According to Federal Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés), Alstom in Bruges – the former Bombardier – is delivering 3 to 4 railcars to NMBS/SNCB every two weeks. Since 728 have already been delivered, the final 23 railcars will likely be delivered by the end of the year.
These could very well be the last trains to be built at the West Flemish factory. The factory still has several rolling stock maintenance contracts in place, but after that, it’s into the abyss.
Discussions still underway with CAF
According to Minister Crucke, who provided further explanation on the issue at the Chamber’s Mobility Committee, discussions are still underway with the Spanish train manufacturer CAF regarding a potential partnership in Bruges.
The Minister also indicated that he would be traveling to Spain later this week to continue negotiations on the matter.
More than 3 years ago, NMBS/SNCB issued a European call for bids for this multi-billion-euro contract, and CAF emerged as the winner. The initial order consists of 180 MR-30 trainsets worth 1.7 billion euros, which are scheduled to enter service starting in 2030. An additional 130 units may be ordered later.
However, Alstom and Siemens Mobility challenged the tender before the Council of State, which rejected both claims. The legal battle delayed the order by more than half a year, and political unrest over potential job losses at Alstom Bruges also slowed down the deal.
Death knell for the factory in Bruges?
The unions’ fear that the CAF tender could spell the end for the Bruges plant may well become a reality, as it remains unclear to what extent the potential partnership with CAF will yield concrete results.
The NMBS/SNCB put the first M7 train set into service in early 2020. Deliveries were significantly delayed, especially at the beginning. Alstom paid a total of 108 million euros in fines for this.
The unions at Alstom have always pointed out that the French company was significantly cheaper than CAF and that the trains are paid for with taxpayer money. The NMBS/SNCB has always emphasized that it followed European legislation and that the decision was based on the price-quality ratio.
Crucke confirmed on Wednesday that the Spanish side is still open to a possible partnership, while also indicating that Alstom has not yet confirmed anything – and certainly not the financial terms under which it might take place.
