Breda has a long history with Metro as evidenced by this logo on a Purple Line Car. Photo: LA Streetsblog/Flickr
At today's Metro Board hearing, the Board punted again on deciding whether to continue it's exclusive contract for Light Rail cars with AnsaldoBreda. Metro first decided to postpone a decision on the contract in March, partially because it would take less time to stick with AnsaldoBreda than it would to put the contract out to bid. Three months later, they're still punting because the politics of the contract remain mired in controversy.
The argument against renewing the contract is because Breda is already late and delivering cars that are thousands of pounds overweight. In favor of renewing the contract is Metro's long-standing relationship with the Italian rail company and their promise that with an extended contract they can afford to build a plant in the Greater Los Angeles area. Of course, the Board can't consider where the cars are built in making their decision based on federal law, but if you don't think there's a relationship between this promise and the Board's backflips, I have tickets to Game 6 of the NBA Finals I want to sell you.
I'm not sure how long a bidding process would take if they had went to contract, but bending over backwards to keep the contract in Breda's hands has cost four months, and counting.
For Streetsblogs' complete coverage of the ongoing AnsaldoBreda controversy, click here.
