The STM wants 765 new cars, with an option to order 288 more. The STM wants 765 new cars, with an option to order 288 more. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

The Quebec Superior Court has sided with the Montreal Transit Corporation (STM) over a new metro car contract.

A consortium formed by Bombardier and French company Alstom took the STM to court.

It was trying to block a move by the STM to open bidding for the contract to other international companies.

A Spanish competitor, CAF, has already indicated its intention to submit a bid for the contract.

The Bombardier-Alstom consortium argued it had already landed a deal with the STM to build the new metro cars.

Quebec's Superior Court has ruled otherwise.

"The tribunal believes that...public interest will be better served if we let the STM finish its analysis of CAF's offer and make an appropriate decision," Judge André Wery wrote in the judgement released Wednesday.

The STM applauded the court's decision.

"It's with great enthusiasm that the STM has read the judgement," said Michel Labrecque, chairman of the STM's board of directors.

Labrecque said the transit corporation has asked an external firm to study whether Spanish company CAF has the techinical qualifications to fulfill the contract.

He said the STM will ask for the final report as soon as possible, so the board can make its decision.

Consortium reacts

The Bombardier-Alstom consortium released a statement responding to the judgement.

It reads: "The consortium...is pleased to note that the judge clearly indicates that the STM must analyze the financial and technical capacity of the expressions of interest in accordance with the requirements of the initial call for tenders, conclusions that were sought by the consortium."

The group had argued that its competitor, CAF, was not able to provide the equipment necessary to fulfill the contract.

It also questioned CAF's ability to respect the demand that at least 60 per cent of the work be completed in Quebec.

The international public notice was issued in January after the STM announced it was increasing its order from 342 cars to 765 cars, with an option to order 288 more.