(The Associated Press distributed the following article on February 25.)
PHILADELPHIA — A judge blocked a transit agency’s $236 million purchase of new rail cars after one manufacturer charged the bidding process was rigged to favor a South Korean consortium.
Kawasaki Rail Car Inc., a New York subsidiary of a Japanese company, charged that the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority changed the specifications to help the consortium, United Transit Systems.
A vote on awarding the contract was set for Thursday but Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew Carrafiello blocked that Tuesday pending a March 15 hearing.
SEPTA lawyer Penny Ellison told the judge no advantage was given to United Transit.
The contract is for 104 stainless-steel cars. SEPTA carries about 100,000 riders a day.
United Transit submitted the low bid of $236 million but its technical expertise ranked lowest — 125 points out of a maximum 175 — in a ranking by SEPTA staff. It has never produced stainless steel commuter cars for the U.S. market.
Kawasaki’s bid $250 million but it ranked highest in technical expertise at 162 points.