Bombardier Opens the Centre for Advanced Transit Systems
in Burnaby, British Columbia
MAY 24, 2000
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--Bombardier Transportation today officially
opened its Centre for Advanced Transit Systems in Burnaby, British
Columbia. The Centre is Bombardier's first manufacturing facility
in Western Canada and its latest initiative to provide integrated
transit solutions for its leading-edge products and services.
The Centre for Advanced Transit Systems, distinct in style and
design, is a modern facility located adjacent to the operations
and maintenance centre of the Vancouver SkyTrain. Having launched
operations a month ago, the Centre is manufacturing the Advanced
Rapid Transit (ART) cars for use on the SkyTrain system, including
the new Millennium Line. As well as manufacturing Bombardier
products, the facility, to be staffed by some 165 employees, will
serve as a centre of excellence for operations and maintenance
training and for promoting SkyTrain as a world-class model for
urban transportation solutions.
At the official opening ceremony attended by dignitaries,
community representatives, business associates, and Bombardier
employees, Mr. Jacques Lapare, President of Bombardier
Transportation, Mass Transit - North America, commented that
"Thanks to the Centre in Burnaby, as well as British Columbia's
talented labour pool and its network of valuable suppliers,
Bombardier is strategically positioned to take full advantage of
emerging opportunities in the Pacific Rim".
Bombardier's SkyTrain technology has been in operation in
Vancouver since 1986. In October 1998, Bombardier was awarded a
new contract by Rapid Transit Project 2000 for 60 ART vehicles,
including options for an additional 60. The first vehicles will
be delivered for testing and commissioning in Fall 2000 in
preparation for the opening of Phase I of the Millennium Line.
Bombardier is also designing, integrating and supplying all of the
electrical and mechanical systems for the 21-km fully automated
line extension. If all of the vehicles options are exercised, the
contract value to Bombardier for the complete system, including
the fully automated vehicles, will exceed Cdn$500 million.
In addition to the many jobs created by the construction of the
Centre and its operations, Bombardier expects to purchase up to
$175 million in goods and services within the province over the
life of the project.
Bombardier Transportation, a world leader in the manufacturing of
passenger rail cars, offers a full range of urban, suburban and
intercity vehicles as well as complete rail transit systems
worldwide. It also manufactures freight cars and provides
operations and maintenance services.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and service company,
is a world leading manufacturer of business jets, regional
aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorised recreational
products. It is also a provider of financial services and asset
management. The Corporation employs 56,000 people in 12 countries
in North America, Europe and Asia, and more than 90 % of its
revenues are generated outside Canada. Bombardier's revenues for
its fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2000 totalled $13.6 billion.
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