Bombardier apologizes for delayed trains, quality issues in Switzerland

A Bombardier logo is shown at a Bombardier assembly plant in Mirabel, Que., Friday, October 26, 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)

BERLIN -- Swiss Federal Railways and Bombardier Inc. say that new train deliveries may not resume for some time, apologizing to passengers as the vehicles fail to live up to expectations.

Following a joint presentation to Swiss parliament, executives said in a statement that "it will still be a while before the train can satisfy all aspects" of Switzerland's customer standards.

Swiss Railways halted deliveries of the intercity, double-deck trains on Jan. 22, citing doors that don't close properly as well as motor and software problems.

So far, the railway has received 12 of the 62 vehicles slated for delivery under a US$1.9-billion contract.

A spokesman for Bombardier's transportation division, based in Berlin, says it could incur financial penalties from the delays.

Swiss Railways was one of three public transit customers that opted to stop taking trains from Bombardier last month until it fixes the ones already in service.

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