Helsinki Metropolitan Area Transport is trying to justify such high price increase by the general explanation that the input costs significantly increased in the last years, in particular, as a consequence of the Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East.

It is highly questionable, if these justifications are the real root cause because the budget prepared in 2023 should have already included these facts. Škoda Group / Transtech’s offered trams for Helsinki pricing within the approved budget by HSL in 2025. This clearly indicates that an increase of the budget is not necessary to procure technologically equal vehicles suitable for Helsinki as it means also an increased burden that will be borne by the taxpayers.

“Our offer meets required budget conditions that are € 271 million and technological level, and the Stadler’s offer is € 331 million, 25% higher that means € 66 million higher.  We are sure that our lifecycle costs for the trams also meet the needs of modern city and would save a lot of money from public budget,” says Petr Novotný, CEO of Škoda Group.

Škoda Group and Skoda Transtech will continue to pursue its claim before the Supreme Administrative Court, including the request for an interim measure prohibiting to sign the contract with Stadler, and to highlight the severe procedural mistakes and irregularities in this procurement process.

It is common practice in European Union to cancel tenders in which the price of the only offer is significantly higher than the procurement budget. This prevents the contracting authorities from accepting overpriced products and services.