Bombardier has signed a deal with rail manufacturer UVZ to modernise Russia’s public transport system in time for the 2018 World Cup.
Bombardier and UVZ will jointly develop and market metro trains designed for the Moscow Metro and other cities in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Oleg Sienko, chief executive officer of UVZ and Andre Navarri, president and chief operating officer, Bombardier Transportation, signed the agreement on behalf of the two companies.
Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev took part in the signing ceremony in Yekaterinburg.
Oleg Sienko said: “Our agreement to introduce these modern metros and trams to Russia will significantly push the development of this mass transit sector and enhance the image of major Russian cities in the run-up to the 2018 world football championship.
“Our joint engineering and production will ensure that the world’s leading urban transport is available to Russians and built in Russia.”
Bombardier is providing UVZ with a licence to manufacture and sell low-floor trams with Bombardier technology in Russia.
The licensed product is a variant of the Bombardier Flexity platform of vehicles, which operate worldwide.
Andre Navarri said: “The demand for mass transit in Moscow and other cities in Russia is growing steadily.
“Our smart transport solutions set new standards in mobility and passenger comfort. By teaming up with a strong local partner, we can offer passengers a new standard of public transport as the sustainable way to travel in the 21st century and help their country prepare to host a global championship.”
