Alstom has submitted the sole bid for a major contract to supply 39 new trains to the Barcelona metro system, according to tender documents.

The French manufacturer, which operates a factory in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, is the only company to have presented an offer for the €321 million contract, excluding VAT.

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Consequently, the company is now the presumptive winner of a deal that will significantly boost capacity across several key lines.

The tender documents, consulted by Europa Press, reveal no competing bids were received. This lack of competition stems from a specific clause in the tender that excluded companies linked to Israeli occupation activities. Therefore, Alstom’s main rival, the Basque firm CAF, was barred from participating due to its inclusion on a UN list for its involvement in a tram project in occupied Palestinian territory.

Alstom Contract To Transform Barcelona Metro Lines

Of the 39 new trains, 22 are destined for the central section of the L9 line. The remaining 17 will reinforce conventional lines to improve capacity and frequency. Specifically, four trains will go to L1, three to L2, six to L3, and four to L4. Furthermore, this deployment will allow four trains currently running on L3 to be transferred to the L5 line.

Alstom itself was temporarily excluded from the tender process earlier this year. The company appeared on the same UN list due to historical activities of a firm it later acquired. However, it was removed from the list in September, clearing the path for its participation. This development highlights the complex geopolitical factors now influencing major public procurement in Barcelona.

The contract represents a continuation of Alstom’s recent dominance in supplying the metro. The company previously won a €268 million contract to build 42 trains for the network, beating out CAF. Meanwhile, Chinese firm CRRC was excluded from that earlier tender for failing to meet solvency criteria. This new deal underscores the city’s ongoing investment in upgrading its transport infrastructure, a key component of urban mobility strategy.

According to the original report in El Periódico, the municipal clause excluding companies linked to occupation territories played a decisive role. CAF defended its position, stating it respects human rights and that its tram serves both Israeli and Palestinian populations. Nevertheless, it remains on the UN list and was thus ineligible. This procurement decision reflects the city’s stated ethical stance on international conflicts, directly impacting local infrastructure projects.

The arrival of these new trains is a critical step in modernising Barcelona’s underground network. It promises more reliable and frequent services for thousands of daily commuters. Additionally, the investment aligns with broader efforts to enhance sustainable public transport options across the metropolitan area. The contract award is now subject to final administrative confirmation, but with only one bidder, Alstom’s path to securing the €321 million Barcelona metro contract appears clear.

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