Sources inform ''Globes'' that Israel Railways has been forced to continue operating old rolling stock on the Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport and Modi'in Line, following delays in the delivery of new cars from Siemens. Israel Railways has, in effect, been forced to hang on to old slam-door cars that were to have been taken out of service, in order to make up the shortfall in rolling stock and avoid delays in its timetable.
Israel Railways is delaying the removal from service of 54 cars, some of which are very old, and has returned 18 of these to service on the line to Ben Gurion Airport and Modi'in. Passengers on these services have complained that the old slam-door cars are uncomfortable and often break down on the tracks.
Siemens recently announced a third postponement in the delivery of the railway cars to August-November 2008, a year after it was supposed to supply them under the tender it won. Israel Railways is set to pursue a claim for compensation against Siemens and is also looking at the option of issuing a tender for rolling stock from other suppliers to avoid further disruption to services.
A spokesperson for Israel Railways said, "Due to the delay by Siemens, we have had to run two old trains (18 cars), mainly on the line to Modi'in. We would stress, however, that the cars undergo regular inspection and have been found suitable for use."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 3, 2008
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