CTA RAIL CAR BIDDER LOSES APPEAL

The Chicago Transit Authority is sticking with its decision to award the largest rail car contract in CTA history to a joint venture that includes a company owned by the Chinese government, officials said Wednesday.

The CTA has denied Bombardier Transit Corporation’s appeal of the CTA’s March decision to award CSR Sifang America JV the contract to produce the CTA’s next generation of rail cars.

Bombardier had contended the $ 1.3 billion deal was “rigged” and that the CTA “took direction” on the project from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who touted CSR’s plans to open an assembly facility in Hegewisch and provide 170 local jobs as part of its offer. Only U. S. jobs were required as part of the bid, said Bombardier, which has plants in New York and Pennsylvania and a headquarters in Canada.

Bombardier’s bid racked up 73.4 percent of all pos- sible points in five areas, versus CSR’s 68.2 percent, Bombardier spokeswoman Maryanne Roberts said. Bombardier will be reviewing its options, including whether to appeal to the Federal Transit Administration or file a civil suit, Roberts said.

CTA spokesman Brian Steele noted that CSR’s bid was $ 226 million less and was deemed the “best overall value” to the CTA.