Ostrava’s purchase of hydrogen-powered buses gets complicated as SOR Libchavy appeals
One year after announcing a tender to supply up to ten hydrogen buses, the Ostrava public transport company (DPO) still has no winner.
Office for the Protection of Competition (UOHS) chairman Mr Petr Mlsna upheld SOR Libchavy’s appeal and returned the whole case for a new hearing.
This follows from the decision published by the antimonopoly office. Taking to social media, Ostrava mayor Mr Macura interpreted the decision as tender cancellation, wanting to announce a new one. An official decision to cancel the tender has not yet been made.
The dispute concerns the terms of the tender for the delivery of up to ten new hydrogen-powered single-cell buses. The main problem, as identified by SOR, is the transport company requirement that the prospective supplier have experience of one major delivery and at least one new hydrogen-powered single-cell bus delivered to an EU country. According to the manufacturer, given the actual state of the market for this new commodity, the requirement is disproportionate and restricts competition. SOR Libchavy does not have its own hydrogen bus, but is working on its development.
The DPO has an ongoing tender to build a hydrogen filling station on the eastern edge of the city. The expected price exceeds CZK 150 million, three-fifths of which is to be covered by subsidies from European funds, municipal and regional budgets. The filling station will be part of a bus garage and should be ready next year.