Bombardier lands US$158M order from Israel railways

MONTREAL -- Bombardier Transportation has received a US$158-million follow-on order from Israel Railways for 72 double-deck passenger coaches.

The order is part of an agreement signed in 2010 when 150 coaches were ordered. The first of these improved versions of trains already in operation entered service on Dec. 1, 2011.

The new coaches will be delivered over a year starting in early 2014.

Israel Railways is planning to double the size of its double-deck fleet within three years.

Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) manufactures and tests the coaches at its Gorlitz plant in Germany before they are completed in Israel by its partner Matar.

Each double-deck train can carry about 900 passengers.

The additional trains add seats and improve comfort and safety, said Jean Berge, Bombardier's vice-president sales, mainline and metros.

On the Toronto Stock Exchange, its shares were down three cents at $3.61.