Amtrak says that while Alstom is a bidder for the contract, the procurement process is still open and that two pre-qualified suppliers are still in the running for the contract.
Senator Schumer claimed during a visit to Alstom's Hornell plant in New York state on September 21 that the Amtrak board was about to select Alstom as the sole bidder to negotiate the contact. Amtrak sources say Schumer took liberties to declare a winner prematurely when Amtrak is still negotiating with two suppliers.
The new trains are needed to replace Amtrak's Acela fleet as part of a $US 2.5bn project to upgrade the Northeast Corridor linking Boston, New York and Washington DC.
