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Q&A: Eran Gartner

By Moinak Mitra

Bombardier's Eran Gartner

The Vice President (Operations), Bombardier Transportation, outlines what would make his company such a hot pick to build Bangalore's mass transit system.

Q. Is Bombardier also participating in the construction of Bangalore's metro mass transport system?

A. First of all, here are the current facts. One, Bombardier Transportation was not a part of the consortium that was selected in 1995. Two, Bombardier is one of the companies whose participation in providing electrical systems was requested by the selected Consortium. And three, the BMRTL (Government of Karnataka) project has not yet been finalised.

Now, as a leading global player in providing Railway Solutions, we would be pleased to participate in the building of Bangalore's metro transport system. We are well-equipped in terms of expertise and experience to do so. Our participation will depend upon the format in which the project is finally envisaged by the central and state governments.

Q. How important is India as a market today, and secondly, as an outsourcing destination?

A. In India, infrastructure development is an important focus of the central and state governments. There is a need for the introduction of new technologies, upgradation of technologies, for existing systems to be managed efficiently, and new mass transit systems to be built. Bombardier Transportation offers a full spectrum of railway solutions--propulsion and controls, rolling stock, transit systems, services and rail control solutions.

Our focus in the near future will be to provide India with technologies and solutions relating to electric locomotives, mass transit, commuter electrical multiple units and rail control solutions. Our commitment to the Indian market can best be demonstrated by our transfer-of-technology initiatives, and the manufacturing base installed in Vadodara. The competencies thus developed by Bombardier Transportation India--in the development of advanced software for global projects--have showcased Indian talent across Bombardier Transportation worldwide. Indian resources have already been associated with signalling projects in Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark.

Further, with our manufacturing set-up, we have developed local vendors for a world class supply-chain system. The potential for these vendors to be utilised by Bombardier Transportation for projects across the globe is immense.

Q. What are the urban transportation projects Bombardier plans taking up in Andhra Pradesh?

A. Bombardier Transportation has the capability to provide complete train transit system (TTS Division) for urban areas. Alternatively, our company can tie up with other infrastructure companies (civil contractors) and finance companies to offer complete train transit system solutions.

We have been keenly following developments in Hyderabad for its implementation of the metro system--Light Rails Transit System (LRTS) by Government of Andhra Pradesh. We are keen to participate in such project once a feasibility study is completed and a request for expression of interest (EOI) is announced by the state government.

Q. Does the company plan to start a transportation-engineering centre in Hyderabad?

A. Bombardier has not decided on the location of such a centre. Several locations are being considered.

Q. How much investment has already been made in India and how much in the near future?

A. We have made investments in India in terms of finance, technology and know-how. We have a factory in Vadodara, a plant that has constantly grown and is today a model plant in the production of propulsion and controls and rail control solutions. We have invested in training and building a world supply chain locally. We have trained vendors and our people in the 'latest' in technology. We have invested in feasibility studies of various projects and in identification of the right technologies for local conditions.

Bombardier will be in a position to further detail the investments in India in three-to-six months, after we've made all decisions and decided for the final mode... that is, location, number of people, technological capabilities.

Q. If the Indian Railways have benefited so much from your transfer of technology and signaling systems, what explains so many malfunctions and accidents?

A. The Indian Railways operate one of the world's largest networks. In an environment of rapid growth, booming population, increasing urbanisation, the pressures on the infrastructure are immense. Considering that the Indian Railways are transporting an incredibly high number of passengers with trains that are already in the limit of their life cycle, they demonstrate world-class professionalism. In Mumbai, for instance, besides the high occupancy and high frequency of trains, the wet/sea environment and hard track conditions add to the complexities of managing cost effectively.

To manage the burgeoning growth, investments in new technologies are needed. An infrastructure that supports growth, technologies that are suited to Indian operational conditions--both environmental and operational, and are cost-effective will go a long way in reducing malfunctions and accidents.

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