by Fanis Zois

 

European and Chinese automobile manufacturers compete for 750 buses for The Athens and Thessaloniki public transport system. At least four European groups and two Chinese will claim the new buses for the urban transport organizations of Athens and Thessaloniki (OASA and OASTH). The competition is promoted by the Ministry of Infrastructure with a budget of 383.5 million euros.

 

A few days ago, the validity of the binding offers and letters of guarantee submitted at the beginning of last year for the relevant tender of the ministry by the prospective contractors vehicle manufacturers expired and the participants were asked to renew both the offers and the guarantees for another 10 months.

 

Now the renewal is considered certain, both in the market and in the ministry, that it will bring significant price increases due to the rise in the prices of the raw materials required for their manufacture. An increase is estimated to be between 10% and 15%.

 

It is noted that the tender was divided into five sections, in one of which, concerning the supply of 100 simple hybrid 12-meter buses, no bid was submitted. The battle was therefore limited to the remaining 650 vehicles and especially to the 350 electric buses claimed by European and Chinese groups, but the process has been stuck due to objections.