Swiss railways join chorus of discontent with ADtranz

The Swiss Federal Railways have expressed concern at ADtranz's failure to supply 24 new tilting trains as planned. Eight of the trains should already have been delivered, but testing procedures have only just begun, causing a delay of six months.

The Swiss Federal Railways have expressed concern at ADtranz’s failure to supply 24 new tilting trains as planned. Eight of the trains should already have been delivered, but testing procedures have only just begun, causing a delay of six months.

The Federal Railways are worried about the situation, confirmed Theo Weiss, who is head of the project, in a television interview. The railways risk losing a lot of money if the convoy of 24 tilting trains is delayed.

Also speaking in a television interview, ADtranz spokesman Werner Bohli blamed the delays on “unfortunate circumstances”, including problems with suppliers. In addition to paying supplementary charges, ADtranz will have to pay a conventional compensation fee. Bohli said he expected the charge to be in excess of SFr10 million (US$ 6 million)

Meanwhile, discontent is growing in Switzerland over the actions of the German rail technology firm ADtranz. At least 1500 employees from the firm’s plants at Pratteln and Zurich-Oerlikon joined a demonstration against the company in Berne on Saturday, in protest at proposed job cuts (pictured).

Trade union and workers representatives, who organised the mass protest criticised the apparent indecision of ADtranz’s head office in Berlin. A spokesman said the parent group, DaimlerChrysler, was more interested in making the firm attractive to potential buyers than meeting its obligations to its employees. The unions called on the ADtranz board to seek alternatives to the proposed closure of the Pratteln plant and ending of production at Oerlikon.

From staff and wire reports