After numerous delays, passengers can finally board six new exo train cars made in China by a controversial manufacturer.
“It’s higher than my expectations but that’s because I expected something horrible given the reputation of the manufacturer,” commented Pearson Basilieres.
She is one of the train enthusiasts who came to test the new product on Tuesday, during the commissioning of the first six “2050 cars” for the Montreal-Saint-Jérôme route.
The former Metropolitan Transport Agency (AMT) ordered 44 from the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC), which won the tender at the expense of Bombardier in 2017.
A controversial manufacturer
The Chinese manufacturer has since caused a lot of ink to flow. In 2020, The newspaper had notably learned that he was in the crosshairs of the Pentagon due to alleged links with the Chinese army.
NGOs have also denounced that the company sources its supplies from mines in Madagascar where children as young as five work.
New cars include marking for visually impaired people.
Photo ANOUK LEBEL
This is without counting the numerous delivery delays.
A first batch of 24 cars was initially scheduled to be delivered in December 2019. However, exo did not receive the first two units at its Pointe-Saint-Charles maintenance center until winter 2022.
Six cars were finally unveiled on Friday and put into service on Monday. The rest of the 44 cars will gradually be put on track by summer 2025.
30% Canadian
Even if the train was ordered in China, nearly 30% of the manufacturing is of Canadian origin, argues Éric Edström, spokesperson for exo.
He notably notes that the seats were manufactured in Quebec.
The lead car is also 100% accessible to people with reduced mobility, he explains.
“It’s incredible! In the old train, there wasn’t as much space,” enthuses Tyler Ryan, who brought his scooter to test the new train.
Passionate about public transportation, Tyler Ryan was satisfied with the 100% accessible car, where there is enough space for his scooter.
Photo ANOUK LEBEL
“It smells new, but I don’t see any difference,” says Ronald Miglierina, who has been taking this train morning and evening for years.
The total acquisition budget for the new cars is $204 million for exo.
This is significantly higher than the $69 million requested by CRRC from AMT as part of the 2017 call for tenders.
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