Alstom Faces Operational Challenges with New Trains in Romania. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Alstom Faces Operational Challenges with New Trains in Romania
Photo: Irina Marica

The first Alstom Coradia Stream electric train began operating between Bucharest and Brașov in November. However, the day after its launch, the train was temporarily taken out of service due to a computer failure.

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Alstom Delays New Train Deliveries for the Romanian Carrier

The onboard system failure is disrupting stable operation, and the issue remains unresolved. Currently, the train operates only one trip per day before being sent to the depot for troubleshooting.

Additionally, Alstom is failing to meet delivery deadlines, worsening the situation. According to the contract, Romania was supposed to receive 12 new trains by February 2024.

However, only three trains have arrived in the country, while the rest are delayed. The manufacturer has recently agreed to postpone the full delivery schedule to the end of 2025.

Financial Losses and Legal Disputes Over Alstom’s Failures

Carrier CFR has already estimated losses of €6 million and intends to recover them through legal action. The company believes that delivery delays and technical issues have caused significant financial damage.

Alstom secured the train supply contract after a legal dispute that changed the initial agreement. Originally, the order was awarded to a consortium of Astra Vagoane and the Chinese company CRRC.

CRRC had previously developed a train specifically for the Romanian market. However, after a court review, the contract was reassigned to the French manufacturer.

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