The NMBS Board of Directors decided on Wednesday to grant the prestigious AM30 contract-a billion-dollar assignment for the delivery of new train devices-to CAF, a Spanish train builder. This threatens the Bruges site of Alstom, the former Bombardier, to be hit hard. According to trade unions, up to 600 jobs are at stake.
The reconciliation of CAF as preferred bidder comes after an earlier decision was suspended by the Council of State in February. The NMBS says that the new motivation takes that judgment into account.