Stadler Polska Sp. Z.o.o. Cancels Delivery of Multiple Trains
Stadler Polska Sp. Z.o.o. has decided to withdraw from the procedure for the delivery of 35 multiple units trains and has requested the termination of the contract for the delivery of 7 double-decker trains, financed by funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan. This was announced by the Ministry of Transport.
According to the Public Procurement Law, the Polish company Pojazdy Szynowe PESA Bydgoszcz SA (the company ranked second) will be selected as the contractor for the delivery of 35 multiple units trains. It is important to note that a contract was signed on April 26, 2024, for the delivery of 7 double-decker trains.
Zero-emission electric trains for sustainable transportation
Stadler has announced a new project for the development of zero-emission electric trains with a capacity of at least 300 seats, maintenance support for 15 years, and staff training. This initiative aims to revolutionize sustainable transportation in urban areas.
Bank Guarantee Extension Request
Initially, the deadline for submitting a bank guarantee by the contractor was set at 30 working days from the receipt of the funding notification. After a motivated request from Stadler, the deadline was extended by an additional 52 working days. The final deadline for submitting the bank guarantee expired on July 22, 2024, and as of now, it has not been provided, indicating the company’s refusal to comply with the terms.
Stadler Contract Controversy
Stadler recently faced a major setback when their contract was terminated due to ultimatums that went beyond the scope of the original agreement. The demands made by Stadler were considered to be substantial changes, far exceeding what is allowed under public procurement laws. As a result, the Ministry rejected their proposals. Stadler’s decision to withdraw from the delivery contract and the procurement process altogether has sparked national and public interest. This move has raised concerns about the future of their commercial relationships.
Bulgaria’s Commitment to Railway Reform
Despite the challenges, Bulgaria remains committed to ongoing dialogue with the European Commission in order to fully implement the railway sector reform outlined in the Recovery and Resilience Plan,” said the Minister of Transport, Georgi Gvozdeykov.
Warning About Potential Losses
Earlier today, municipal councilor Boris Bonev from the DB-SS party issued a warning on Facebook, stating that Bulgaria is at risk of losing 3.2 billion levs due to the current situation. Instead of modernizing the Bulgarian railways, they may face a setback.
The Ministry of Transport and the Issue of Infrastructure
The Ministry of Transport is facing criticism for the poor state of the country’s infrastructure. The lack of proper maintenance has led to deteriorating roads and bridges, causing inconvenience for the citizens.
The Minister of Transport, in response to these accusations, acknowledges the problem and states that they are working on addressing the issue. However, the situation is complex and requires time and resources to improve.
It is important for the Ministry of Transport to take responsibility for the state of the infrastructure and work towards finding solutions to prevent further deterioration. The citizens deserve safe and reliable transportation systems, and it is the ministry’s duty to provide them.