Hitachi Files Lawsuit over Bidding for U.K. Subway Trains

July 24, 2018

London- A unit of Japanese machinery giant Hitachi Ltd. has filed a complaint with a British court over the result of bidding held by London's transport bureau for the supply of new subway train cars, it was learned Monday.

The petitioner is Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd., said officials of Hitachi Europe Ltd.

Hitachi Rail Europe teamed up with Canada's Bombardier Inc. in participating in the bidding. The Canadian firm also filed a lawsuit over the bidding held by Transport for London.

Details of the lawsuits have not been disclosed.

In June, Transport for London announced that Siemens AG of Germany has won the bidding and will build cars for 94 subway trains for the Piccadilly line under the 1.5-billion-pound deal. The subway line links Heathrow Airport and central areas of London.

A Transport for London official said it is regrettable that Hitachi and Bombardier have opted to file lawsuits.

The transport bureau plans to introduce a total of some 250 new trains for four lines, including the Piccadilly line. It could be possible for Siemens to be chosen as a supplier of trains for the other three lines, informed sources said.

Transport for London is working to replace aging train cars with new ones to improve its railway services. Jiji Press