Bombardier could produce trains at Astra or at Electroputere

Canadian rolling stock manufacturer Bombardier Transportation could produce hybrid trains in co-operation with Romanian manufacturers. The manufacturer is considering building trains that could be delivered to CFR Calatori (the passenger division of the National Romanian Railway Company), in partnership with Astra Vagoane Calatori or Electroputere Craiova, which currently assembles the underground trains delivered to Metrorex (the Bucharest Underground Company). "We do not plan to build the trains in France. Our intention is to find a partner to enable greater Romanian involvement in the manufacturing process. We may work with Astra or with Electroputere, depending on how the latter's privatisation ends," said Jean Berge, marketing and sales vice-president of Mainline&Metros Bombardier. Acc ording to company representatives, around 60-65% of the components of a Bombardier train are manufactured by suppliers, while the rest are produced in the company's own facilities.