Director of the Agency for investments denied that tender for purchase of new tramcars for GSP is closed – Spain and Croatia are still in the race

Even tough, certain media published these days the news that tender for purchase of new tramcars was finalized and that CAF, Spanish company had been chosen, which was unofficially confirmed to the daily “Danas” from the City Parliament, Mr. Marko Blagojevic, Director of the Agency for investments, denied this news.

- Tender for purchase of tramcars is not finished yet. The procedure is still being undertaken. Agency for investments has done its part and documentation is now in the European Investment Bank. Only after their report, we will have the final decision. This should happen in the beginning of September, and only then the public will be informed. This purchase, as any other, closes after signing of the contract, stated Mr. Blagojevic for “Danas”.

Let remind us, in the beginning of the year it was published that the capital city should get 30 new tramcars which would be purchased through a tender. Two companies participated on that tender – Spanish CAF and Croatian “Koncar” elektroindustrija. CAF tramcars already found their place in numerous European cities, such as Edinburgh, Huston, Lisbon and Valencia, while “Koncar” company didn’t succeed in placing its product to any European market. The only place, “Koncar” tramcars work is in Zagreb, and as it was earlier announced they could be found on the streets of Helsinki in Finland.

General Manager of the ‘City transportation company Belgrade’, Radoslav Nikolic, said earlier for “Danas” that tramcars of both companies correspond to their conditions from the tender and that he hoped tender commission would soon reach a decision.

The value of this purchase is around 60 million euros, and the project is financed both by the European Investment Bank and Belgrade city. Deadline for delivery of the first tramcar is one year from signing of the contract.