CALGARY, Dec. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ – Canadian Pacific (NYSE: CP) has closed the transaction related to the acquisition of the Central Maine & Quebec Railway. The acquisition of CMQ in the U.S. remains subject to Surface Transportation Board approval.
The acquisition, first announced on November 20, 2019, will provide CP customers with seamless, safe and efficient access to ports at Searsport, Maine and to Saint John, New Brunswick, via Eastern Maine Railway Company and New Brunswick Southern Railway, thereby preserving and enhancing competition.
Alstom congratulates Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW), on the opening of the CBD and South East Light Rail project and the start of revenue service, returning Light Rail back down Sydney’s George St for the first time in more than 60 years.
Alstom, as part of the ALTRAC Light Rail consortium[1], has been responsible for the integrated light rail system that included the design, delivery and commissioning of 60 Citadis X05 Light Rail Vehicles (LRV), power supply equipment including APS – the wire-free ground-based power supply (over two kilometres), the energy recovery substations – HESOP, signalling, communications, depot equipment and 19 years of maintenance.
The new 12km network has been delivered under a turnkey PPP model that will provide the commuters of Sydney with frequent, reliable, high capacity services running from Circular Quay in the city’s CBD to Central Station, then south east to Randwick. Each LRV has a capacity of 450 passengers – the equivalent of nine standard buses and will move up to 13,500 commuters per hour (6,750 in each direction) during peak times once fully operational. Normal tram services will operate seven days a week between 5am and 1am.
As part of the contract, the consortium has also taken over the operations and maintenance of the existing Inner West Light rail (IWLR) that connects Sydney’s inner west with the Pyrmont peninsula, Darling Harbour and the southern CBD. Alstom is also responsible for the maintenance of the existing system which includes 12 CAF Light Rail Vehicles.
“Alstom is extremely proud to be a part of this iconic project” said Mark Coxon, Managing Director for Alstom in Australia & New Zealand, “This new Light Rail system will transform Sydney and provide a step change in the city’s public transport capability and reliability while protecting the aesthetic appeal of the CBD and improving sustainability of the overall transport network”
[1] Made up of Alstom, Transdev, Acciona and Capella
Bombardier will perform heavy maintenance and refurbish 59 Bombardier-built REGINA commuter trains, improving safety and comfort for every passenger’s journey in Sweden
Latest contract highlights Bombardier’s position as industry-leading mobility services provider in the Swedish market
Mobility technology solution provider Bombardier Transportation announced today that it has signed a new services contract with AB Transitio, Sweden’s rail vehicle leasing company, to perform heavy maintenance and refurbish 59 BOMBARDIER REGINA Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains. The contract is valued around SEK 280 million ($30 million US, €27 million euro) over a period of five years. Deliveries of the newly refurbished trains is planned to start in mid-2020 with pre-series deliveries and will continue until mid-2024.
“With this new contract, Bombardier is expanding its services footprint in Sweden by maintaining the REGINA EMU trains operated by regional and private rail authorities, as well as refurbishing these trains to bring safe and reliable service to over millions of passengers across Sweden every year,” said Marina Sundman, Chief Commercial Office, Nordics Region, Bombardier Transportation. “We are proud to deepen our long-term relationship with AB Transitio and we are more committed than ever to delivering our range of service solutions to help customers maximize value from their assets.”
Around 20 years ago, our local teams designed and built these vehicles which are appreciated by the local rail operators. Today, more than 100 REGINA EMU trains operate across Sweden’s rail network in various car configurations, each train having travelled an average of 200.000 km per year in regional and intercity traffic, supporting the public transport authorities from south to the upper north of Sweden.
In addition to undertaking heavy maintenance on 59 REGINA EMU trains (54 trains of 2 cars and 5 trains of 3 cars each), our teams will also be involved in technical and comfort upgrades such as changing interior carpets, exterior paint, passenger seats refurbishment, interior lighting, installing additional pantograph with control equipment and new headlights.
This project marks a milestone in the development of our refurbishment activities and contributes to placing Bombardier as the leader of this market segment in Sweden. Bombardier is an important player in Sweden’s rail industry as a leading supplier of metros, trams, high speed trains, signalling systems and services.
Total of 31 metro trainsets comprising of 248 cars will be manufactured at the company’s state-of-the-art plant at SriCity
Alstom, leader in sustainable and smart mobility, today commenced the manufacturing of metro trainsets for Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) at its factory in SriCity, Andhra Pradesh. The ceremony was preceded by Mr. Alain Spohr – MD, Alstom India & South Asia. The first metro train after testing will be delivered by November 2020.
Alstom’s overall contract with MMRC for Line 3 is worth €452 million. The order includes manufacturing of 31 lightweight, fully-furnished modern metro trains of 8 cars each. Along with rolling stock, Alstom will also execute the power supply contract and equip Line 3 with Urbalis 400, its latest generation of CBTC signalling technology. The scope of the signalling contract includes unattended train operation (UTO), computer-based interlocking and centralised train supervision; an integrated telecom solution comprising of CCTV, passenger information, passenger annoncement and Giga bit network; platform screen doors, as well as the electrical and mechanical supervisory control and data acquisition system (E&M SCADA).
Speaking on the occasion, Alain Spohr, Managing Director of Alstom India and South Asia said, “This will be the new face of transportation for the commercial capital of India. Mumbai is a global city and it is set to get a world-class metro experience. The trainsets are custom-designed for Mumbai. Themed on Dynamic Fluidism that takes inspiration from the city, the train prioritises high interior density layout to maximise space efficiency. The trainsets will be able to accomodate at least 3000 people on a single trip, easing daily commute for Mumbaikars.”
He further added, “As announced earlier, we are on track to double our manufacturing capacity at SriCity – from 240 to 480 trainsets per annum. The factory is currently executing orders for Chennai Metro, Montreal Metro (Réseau Express Métropolitain) and Mumbai Metro Line 3. Alstom recently won a contract with Sydney’s NRT to supply the rolling stock and signalling system for the next stage of Sydney Metro. 23 six-car fully-automated Metropolis trains for the project will be manufactured at our SriCity facility.”
The Aqua Line trainsets will feature a host of safety elements including CCTV cameras, smoke detectors, emergency intercoms, fire extinguishers with wider detrainment doors to quickly evacuate passengers in case of an emergency. The inclusive design of trainsets will serve to the differently-abled individuals with ease of travel and includes dedicated space for wheelchair in every car. The overall exterior and interiors of the trainset are inspired by the undying energy of Mumbai and its people who are always on the move and hustle all day long.
Alstom will also train maintenance and operations staff for the project. It is also the first time that any metro train in India will have 75% motorization, enabling quick acceleration and deceleration thereby bringing about greater efficiency in operations. The trains will also be equipped with regenerative braking system aiding significant reduction in carbon emissions. In addition to the above features, it is the first UTO (Unattended Train Operation) project in Mumbai.
In 1996, Bombardier Transportation pioneered a new mobility solution for Singapore’s first light rail transit system – the driverless BOMBARDIER INNOVIA APM 100 automated people mover. This fully automated transit system went into service in 1999 on the revolutionary Bukit Panjang LRT line to improve the quality of life for residents by connecting outlying residential areas with the high-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail network as well to schools, retail, community and healthcare centers.
2019 marks the 20th anniversary of the first APM’s entry into service, a historic milestone for Bombardier. The INNOVIA APM system embodies the evolution of automated transit operations over many years at numerous locations around the globe, from London and Guangzhou to Phoenix and San Francisco – the INNOVIA APM is in use in many of the world’s busiest international airports and city districts. Currently, Bombardier has 32 APM vehicles circulating Bukit Panjang with an annual ridership of 24 million passengers, bringing residents closer to their homes.
Singapore’s Bukit Panjang LRT line
Singapore’s Bukit Panjang LRT line, runs on afully-automated people mover system based on the INNOVIA APM 100 automated people mover system. Already in service in many of the world’s busiest cities and biggest airports, this proven passenger mobility solution provides safe, swift and seamless connectivity between the outlying residential areas and the city.
The iconic Bukit Panjang LRT line is an 8-km automated guideway transit solution intended to serve the residential town located in the West Region of Singapore, acting as a replacement to the many buses deployed through the town, especially during rush hour. With an estimated population of 140,000, half of Bukit Panjang’s residents rely on the LRT for their daily commute. A complete loop journey takes 28 minutes, serving 13 stations, providing a feeder service to connect residents to the two high-capacity North-South (red) and Downtown (blue) MRT lines, moving them to the city.
Operating on a dedicated elevated guideway at a speed between 20km/h to 65 km/h, this arrangement ensures consistent service that provides shorter waiting times for the passengers without interfering with surrounding road traffic. The current BOMBARDIER CITYFLO 550 rail control and signalling system and wireless communications supports the system’s operation while ensuring seamless integration into the city’s existing infrastructure.
Singapore’s INNOVIA APM system
Upgrading Bukit Panjang
In 2018, Bombardier signed an asset replacement contract to upgrade the Bukit Panjang LRT system by supplying a fleet of 19 BOMBARDIERINNOVIA APM 300 vehicles, retrofitting 13 existing INNOVIA APM 100 vehicles, as well as upgrading its current CITYFLO 550 technology to the advanced CITYFLO 650 CBTC solution for a smoother ride for commuters. Other works include power rail enhancement and condition monitoring through Train Control Management System.
Working hand-in-hand with the Singapore Land Transport Authority to design a next-generation train with modern aesthetics, the new features incorporated advanced technology for improved performance and functionality, as well as enabling interchangeability with existing APM 100 vehicles. From 2022, the asset replacement is set to improve rail reliability, safety and availability for optimal performance of the Bukit Panjang LRT line.
The ride ahead
After two decade of services, the system achieved an improved performance and for the period of October 2018 to September 2019, it reached a rail reliability performance of 64,000 train-km before a delay of more than five minutes occurs on the system. Along with the Bukit Panjang LRT system upgrade, Bombardier will support a ten-year maintenance and spare part supply agreement to provide reliable services, ensuring that the authority and operator gain the maximum value from their assets over the lifetime of their system with proven competence. The renewed APM system will continue to set the high urban mobility standards for the Bukit Panjang LRT line and globally in the frame of Bombardier’s urban transit innovation.
Singapore LTA’s target is to expand its urban rail network to 360km by 2030, which creates demand and opportunities for rail manufacturers while driving innovation towards Singapore’s Smart Nation vision. Bombardier’s full spectrum of rail solutions, combining technology and performance with empathy, from driverless metros to automated people mover, helps deliver sustainable mobility and reduces energy consumption to create substantial benefits for operators, commuters and the environment.
Investing in Singapore for the last twenty years, Bombardier has delivered 276 driverless BOMBARDIERMOVIA metro cars for Singapore’s Downtown Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line and 32 INNOVIA APM 100 cars for the Bukit Panjang LRT system. In 2018, two asset replacement contracts were awarded to supply 19 new INNOVIAAPM 300 cars for the Bukit Panjang LRT line and 396 MOVIA metro cars for the two high-capacity North-South and East-West MRT lines. Bombardier is committed to designing better trains, customizing solutions and creating better ways to move residents across Singapore, making sure Bombardier’s mobility solution works for the community and providing for the future.
The renewed INNOVIA APM system will continue to set the high urban mobility standard for the Bukit Panjang LRT line and globally in the frame of Bombardier’s urban transit innovation.
Alstom’s fleet of 25 Avelia AGV very-high-speed trains operating in Italy has travelled a total of more than 100 million kilometres since entering service in April 2012, owned and operated under the service name Italo by Italo-Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori, the first private high-speed operator in Europe.
Italo, with its fleet composed of Avelia AGVs and Avelia Pendolinos, covers the entire national area served by high speed line, connecting a total of 25 Italian cities and 30 railway stations with 116 daily services.
“We are immensely proud that our trains have covered such a distance and transported so many passengers since beginning service. Add to that the Avelia Pendolino trains more recently delivered to NTV, and we have proof of the importance of high-speed rail services and Alstom’s unique ability to accompany its customers in the domain,” said Laurent Jarsalé, Vice-President of Alstom’s Mainlines Platform.
The Avelia AGV trains themselves run at speeds of 300km/h with the highest level of safety and comfort, thanks to an articulated architecture designed for very high speeds. The eleven-car configuration results in trains that are over 200 metres in length.
Passenger experience is at the centre of the Avelia AGV design. The train offers 100 mm of additional interior body width compared to conventional non-articulated very-high-speed trains and a bright interior thanks to the largest windows on the very high speed market. Passengers experience quiet and smooth travelling conditions – a result of bogies being placed between the cars.
The train also boasts long-term operational and financial benefits for the operator. This includes 15 to 30% less energy consumption compared to conventional non-articulated very-high-speed trains thanks to its lightweight, aerodynamic design and braking energy recovery. Maintenance costs are also up to 10% lower than non-articulated trains. The Avelia AGV is fully adaptable to operating needs: flexible configurations from 7 to 14 cars, and trainsets designed like a hollow tube that can be effortlessly fitted and refitted according to changing passenger requirements throughout the train’s 30-year lifespan.
With parts from nearly 250 suppliers, Alstom trainset production creates 1,300 new jobs
HARVEY, Ill. – The Amtrak partnership with Alstom to produce the next generation of Acela trains to move customers at higher speeds and more comfort between Boston and Washington is also boosting businesses nationwide. Today, Amtrak and Alstom thanked workers at LB Steel in Illinois for building wheel assemblies (known as “bogies” or “trucks”) and other components.
“While these new trains will provide world-class accommodations for customers traveling in the Northeast, this production will benefit communities across the country by creating jobs and stimulating local economies,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President Roger Harris, who led the visit to the factory south of Chicago. “The fastest trains in the hemisphere – at speeds up to 160 mph – will ride on the work done here in Harvey at LB Steel.”
Alstom is using parts manufactured by nearly 250 suppliers in 27 states, with 95 percent of the components produced domestically. More than 1,300 new jobs will be generated in nearly 90 communities across the United States to support production, including the creation of new, sustainable, high-tech, engineering and manufacturing jobs in New York.
“We are proud to have been selected by Amtrak, not only to design and build the new Avelia Liberty high speed trainsets, but also to provide long-term technical support, and supply spare components and parts for the maintenance of the new trains.,” said Michael MacDonald, Site Managing Director for Alstom in Hornell, N.Y., who also participated in the news event south of Chicago. “Alstom is partnering with suppliers across the country for this project, and the emergence of a high-speed rail manufacturing industry here in the U.S. is becoming a reality.”
The trains are being produced at Alstom’s Hornell facility, which is undergoing a massive investment and transformation to build the 28 high-speed trainsets for Amtrak. One of three new structures has been built to accommodate fleet manufacturing and testing and a new bridge has been built to extend the site’s current test track to accommodate higher speeds.
The new trains are scheduled to enter service in the Northeast Corridor in 2021 and will accommodate nearly 25 percent more customers while continuing the spacious, high-end comfort of the current Acela service that customers enjoy today. Each train will feature modern amenities such as improved Wi-Fi access, personal outlets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights.
The new Acela trains are part of an Amtrak plan to modernize and upgrade our fleet. Last year, Amtrak refreshed the interiors of the current Acela trains and Amfleet I railcars and announced plans to acquire 75 new locomotives for Amtrak’s long distance and state-sponsored services. This year, Amtrak performed similar work on Amfleet II railcars and announced plans to start next year to refresh Superliner cars used on long distance services. Refreshing of Horizon railcars in the Amtrak MidwestSM network is also now underway with state partner support.
New high-speed Acela train sets for the Northeast Corridor when they enter service in 2021. Check out the first prototype (still under construction) being assembled at Alstom’s Hornell, New York facility.
Union Pacific(NYSE: UNP) is suing the city of Palestine, Texas, to nullify a 150-year-old contract to keep a certain number of jobs in the town indefinitely.
The agreement between Union Pacific and Palestine — which was signed in 1872 — dates back to the days when the city was at the crossroads of several railroad companies that promised to keep jobs there indefinitely, according to the Palestine Herald-Press.
Union Pacific’s lawsuit, filed Nov. 27 with the U.S. District Courts in the Eastern District of Texas, alleges the railroad’s contract with Palestine should have been invalidated when the federal Surface Transportation Board became the nation’s regulating authority for freight rail in 1996; and again in 1997, when Union Pacific merged with the Missouri-Pacific Railroad.
The agreement requires the Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad to keep 0.52% of its total jobs in Palestine, local officials said.
Union Pacific operates around 32,000 miles of track in 23 Western states. The company had around 37,000 employees as of its last earnings report.
Hull Trains has invested £60 million into five state-of-the-art, bi-mode intercity trains – known as Class 802s– which will transform rail travel from Hull to London.
The fleet – which is built using Japanese bullet train technology – offers a sleek modern design, faster acceleration and longer carriages, offering more space and seats.
Once fully operational, people will benefit from 5,500 extra seats a week, greater reliability and a quieter and smoother ride. The fleet of new high-speed trains are being rolled into passenger service at intervals, with the full Paragon fleet expected to be in passenger service by early 2020.
Louise Cheeseman, managing director, said she was confident the Paragon fleet would revolutionise train travel between Hull and London.
“We have made a significant investment in these hi-tech trains which will completely overhaul the current service as our customers know it,” she explained.
“Not only will these trains give a smoother ride, they will be a lot more reliable than our existing trains, they will include complimentary Wi-Fi, plug and USB sockets throughout, a brand new at-seat trolley service and an even greater choice and improved quality of hot and cold food. We are increasing capacity on our trains by 22% which means more people are able to travel too.”
Hull Trains currently operates 92 services between Hull and London every week. The new trains can switch seamlessly between electric and diesel power. The trains can accelerate more quickly and they offer greater reliability across the rail infrastructure.
More than two thirds of the journey between Hull and the capital will be operated using electric power, which is much better than the environment. Even under diesel power the modern engines reduce harmful emissions (PM10 and NOx) by up to 90% compared to the existing trains.
Andy Barr, Group CEO, Hitachi Rail said: “These new trains designed using advanced bullet train technology have proven extremely popular, becoming the intercity train of choice on Britain’s rail network. The trains’ many benefits include no more diesel emissions when running on electric power, fast and free Wi-Fi, and greater comfort for passengers. With over 25,000 smart sensors on board each train allowing real-time monitoring, our maintenance team can ensure a reliable and efficient service for people travelling to and from Hull and beyond.”
Steve Montgomery, First Rail managing director, said: “This investment in five brand new trains demonstrates FirstGroup’s commitment to Hull and our Hull Trains service. We’re proud to have supported the local community and East Yorkshire’s economy by investing in Hull Trains and growing the service over the years.”
Kevin Tribley, CEO at Angel Trains, said: “By investing in and developing new trains that reduce the environmental impact of rail travel we are even closer to creating a rail system that modern Britain deserves. We are incredibly proud of our team and would like to thank those at Hitachi and Hull Trains for their hard work in making this vision a reality.”
Louise added: “The arrival of these long-awaited trains marks a new era for Hull Trains. We are now on an exciting trajectory to build and grow this business into one our city can be really proud of. It’s our mission to be the first choice when people are travelling to London, I want people to trust in the service we offer and the fantastic customer service our customers know and expect.
“I want to thank our loyal customers and committed staff who continue to support Hull Trains, I am genuinely excited about the future of Hull Trains, our new trains and new beginning.”
Steve Montgomery, MD First Rail, Louise Cheeseman, MD Hull Trains, Richard Vernon, Fleet Project Engineer Hull Trains, Jim Brewin, Project Director Hitachi Rail, Susan Holliday, Angel Trains
Alstom is to carry out the renewal and automation of Marseille metro for the sum of 430 million euros financed by Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence. As part of this contract, Alstom will develop, supply and install the operating system and equipment for the automatic operation of the network’s two lines. Alstom will also commission 38 new rubber-tyred metros (4 cars) and modernise all the audiovisual passenger information inside the stations. The new trains are scheduled to enter service in early 2024.
The trains will run in semi-automatic mode with drivers until mid-2025 on line M2 and until 2026 on line M1, before switching to full automation.
“It is a great honour for us to contribute to modernising the mobility offer of Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence. Our metro experts are already at work on several of our French sites to get started quickly with developments,” says Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, Senior Vice-President France at Alstom.
The new trains, based on Alstom’s rubber-tyred metro solutions, will incorporate the latest technological developments to increase comfort, availability, accessibility and passenger information, as well as facilitate maintenance.
Each 4-car train, 65 metres long and in “boa”[1] configuration, will be able to carry up to 500 passengers[2]. The sleekly designed trains will feature large bay windows, a highly efficient air conditioning system and modern passenger information systems, providing a pleasant on-board experience. Alstom called on Marseille designers Ora-ïto and Fabien Bourdier for the design and the sound conception of the new trains.
Three designs were proposed to the Metropole Aix-Marseille-Provence, which chose to set up an Internet consultation to give residents the opportunity to give their opinion on the design they would like to see selected.
The new metros for Marseille are environmentally friendly and will be eco-designed, enabling them to be 96% recoverable at the end of their lifespan. They will consume 25% less energy than the metros currently in service, thanks in particular to electric braking (up to 0 km/h), LED lighting and other optimisations.
For the automation system, Alstom will provide its Urbalis 400 solution, already deployed on more than 1,500 kilometres of metro lines worldwide. The Marseille metro will benefit from a proven, continuously improved system (on-board computers equipped with the latest technology, vital computers that are over 99% available, beacon tracker, etc.).
Alstom currently equips 25% of the CBTC[3] metro automations in service (60 lines, including 28 fully automated lines).
In total, more than 400 people in France will work on this project, including more than 60 in Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence. Jobs will also be generated at our suppliers in France, but also in the Métropole for the installation and deployment of the signalling system.
Alstom will draw on the excellent skills of six of its French sites: Aix-en-Provence for the project management, Valenciennes for the design, interior layout, assembly, tests and validation of the trains, Ornans for the engines, Le Creusot for the bogies, Villeurbanne for the on-board electronics, passenger information, predictive maintenance and signalling system equipment, and Saint-Ouen for the coordination of the artistic design, development and integration of the signalling system.
