Alstom (OTC: ALSMY) and Hitachi Rail have today confirmed that the Hitachi-Alstom High Speed (HAH-S) 50/50 joint venture has signed contracts with High Speed Two (HS2) to design, build, and maintain the next generation of very high speed trains for HS2 Phase 1 as part of the £1.97 billion contract, including an initial 12-year train maintenance contract.
The UK’s two leading train manufacturers will deliver Europe’s fastest operational train, capable of operating at maximum speeds of 225mph (360 km/h), significantly reducing journey times for passengers. The fleet will be 100% electric, and be one of the world’s most energy efficient very high speed trains due to the lower train mass per passenger, aerodynamic design, regenerative power and latest energy efficient traction technology.
In a major boost to grow and rebalance the economy, the HAH-S joint venture will manufacture the 54 trains at newly enhanced facilities in County Durham, Derby and Crewe. The award to the British-based firms will protect and create thousands of green jobs and add £157 million GVA to the UK economy for every year of the train building phase.
The new 200m-long, 8-car trains are set to run in Phase 1 of the project between London and Birmingham, and on the existing network, and will dramatically increase capacity and connectivity between towns and cities across the country including Stoke, Crewe, Manchester, Liverpool, Carlisle, Motherwell and Glasgow. They will have a major impact in reducing carbon emissions from transport by encouraging people away from fossil fuelled cars and planes, and onto rail.
Alstom’s first two Innovia 300 monorail trains for the Cairo Monorail project have arrived in Cairo after being completed at Alstom’s Derby UK factory, with propulsion systems application led by Alstom’s site in Trapaga, Spain. The dispatch of the first 8 fully automated, driverless cars out of 70 trains (a total of 280 cars) is a major milestone in the Cairo Monorail project, Egypt’s first two monorail lines, linking the New Capital City and 6th October City to Greater Cairo.
In August 2019, an Alstom-led consortium composed of Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors signed a €2.7bn contract to design, implement, operate, and maintain the two lines. The project includes a 54 km line connecting the New Administrative City with East Cairo and a second 42 km line connecting 6th of October City with Giza.
Both lines are expected to open in 2023. After the construction phase is completed, the Alstom-led consortium will provide 30 years of operation and maintenance (O&M) services for both lines.
Egypt is committed to developing and improving mobility services for its citizens, while reducing traffic congestion and environmental impact. The Innovia 300 monorail system allows fast construction of high-capacity lines at lower costs. Once maximum capacity is achieved, each of the two Cairo lines will be able to transport 45,000 passengers per hour in each direction. The Innovia 300 monorail system is equipped with Alstom’s proven Cityflo 650 communications-based train control solution. Benefits of this flagship technology include high reliability, flexible operation, shorter headways between trains, improved safety and reduced maintenance costs. The Alstom Mitrac propulsion system provides strong reliability and maintainability, and thanks to its permanent magnet motor, better energy consumption figures.
Alstom has been a partner to Egypt’s railways since 1971, continuously supporting the railway infrastructure development in the country. Over these years, Alstom Egypt has established a local talent pool and Center of Excellence (COE) related to signalling systems, power supply and maintenance workshops to support projects across its Africa-Middle East-Central Asia (AMECA) region. It is this rich heritage that has enabled Alstom to make a significant contribution to Egypt’s rail industry development. Today, Alstom employs approximately 500 people in Egypt with ongoing projects which includes the modernization of signalling system on the Beni Sueif – Assyut line.
Watch the Video of First two Alstom Innovia 300 Trains Delivered for Cairo Monorail!
Hilton’s new elevated yet approachable brand is off to the races, breaking ground in Louisville, Kentucky less than 60 days after its launch
MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the start of construction of its very first Tempo by Hilton property, hosting a groundbreaking ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky’s trendy NuLu neighborhood. The 130-key, six-story hotel is located at 710 East Jefferson Street and is co-owned by First Hospitality and Weyland Ventures. This inaugural Tempo by Hilton property is slated to open in time for the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Breaking ground less than eight weeks from the Tempo by Hilton brand launch, this milestone marks one of the shortest time periods from brand announcement to groundbreaking in Hilton history. Additionally, the brand continues to exhibit robust deal momentum, with more than 30 confirmed deals in cities including New York, Maui, Boston and Washington D.C., as well as an additional 40 deals in various stages of development.
“We’ve seen an incredible response from owners who are excited about Tempo by Hilton, and we are working together with them to bring this new offering to market in record time,” said Phil Cordell, SVP and global head of new brand development, Hilton. “The brand delivers a unique blend of elevated yet within reach offerings that have been specifically developed to appeal to the burgeoning class of modern achievers, and we believe that the NuLu neighborhood is exactly the kind of place where Tempo by Hilton will not only fit in but thrive.”
In line with the brand’s commitment to localized touches in each property, this first Tempo by Hilton groundbreaking saw brand representatives and local dignitaries gather for an exciting event that included nods to the historic Kentucky Derby with details such as a burst of rose petals that evoked the famous race also known as the “Run for the Roses”. The ceremonial groundbreaking was symbolized by the staking of a Tempo by Hilton flag into the property site ground.
“We are excited to be the first city in the world to welcome the Tempo by Hilton brand,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “Our city’s economy is booming, with more than $15 billion in investment since 2014, more than 1,200 hotel rooms added in the past 18 months, and an additional 1,100 hotel rooms under construction. The Tempo by Hilton will add to that great economic vitality.”
Once open, the new Tempo by Hilton Louisville NuLu will offer a rooftop bar, allowing patrons to sip in style as they take in the surrounding skyline. The property will provide guestrooms that have been designed as welcoming treats with the brand’s signature Power Up and Power Down collections to assist guests with getting energized for the day or winding down for the night, as well as inviting public spaces, including flexible meeting space, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and surprising, uplifting artistic touches.
“As part of the next generation leading First Hospitality, a long-time Hilton partner, I’m beyond proud that we are breaking ground on the very first hotel of this next-generation brand,” said Sam Schwartz, VP of Asset Management for First Hospitality. “We couldn’t be more excited for this property to be going up in NuLu, a neighborhood known for its rich arts and culinary scenes.”
Thoughtfully designed with the modern achiever in mind, the new Tempo by Hilton Louisville NuLu will also provide complimentary coffee and tea via the in-lobby Fuel Bar, as well as a range of additional food and beverage options including an innovative café-style offering serving a variety of smoothies, lattes, breakfast sandwiches, bowls and more, limited market, and in-lobby bar specializing in both spirited and non-spirited craft cocktails.
Tempo by Hilton Louisville NuLu will participate in Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels will have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, and free standard Wi-Fi. Members can also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.
New contract reaffirms long-standing relationships with Abellio and with Eversholt Rail
Derby Etches Park depot to maintain Bombardier Class 222sfor East Midlands Railway mainline services until 2022
Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation has announced today that it has signed a new Train Services Agreement (TSA) with Abellio and Eversholt Rail for the new East Midlands Railway franchise in the United Kingdom. Under the new agreement which lasts from today until December 31, 2022, Bombardier will maintain Bombardier class 222 diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) trains at Derby Etches Park depot for use on East Midlands Railway mainline services. The new agreement follows Bombardier’s previous role in maintaining the 125 miles per hour trains for the former East Midlands Trains franchise. The contract is valued at approximately £133 million GBP ($161 million US, €145 million euro).
Phil Hufton, President, Bombardier Transportation UK said, “We are delighted that we have reached agreement with Abellio to maintain the Class 222 fleet for East Midlands Railway’s mainline services. This important contract win is testament to our team at Derby Etches Park and their hard work and professionalism in continually delivering one of the highest performing and most reliable Intercity fleets.”
Steve Timothy, Client Relations Director, Eversholt Rail said, “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Bombardier Transportation to support the delivery of our Class 222 trains for the Sheffield – London mainline service to Abellio East Midlands Railway from 19th August”.
Under the Train Services Agreement, maintenance of the 27-strong fleet of Class 222 trains will take place at Derby Etches Park depot, where 130 staff are employed, with heavy component maintenance taking place at Bombardier Crewe.
Two new monorail lines to connect East Cairo with New Administrative City and 6th October City to Giza
Bombardier Transportation has been named preferred bidder to build and supply a new monorail system in Cairo, Egypt.
The potential value of the bid for Bombardier Transportation is €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion US) for the Design & Build Contract. In addition, there is a 15 + 15 years Operations and Maintenance deal with a potential value of about €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion US). The rolling stock part of the order will be developed and built in Derby, UK.
The project is for the delivery of a 54km monorail system connecting the New Administrative City with East Cairo as well as a second 42km line connecting 6th October City with Giza. Bombardier Transportation will deliver the project in partnership with two Egyptian companies Orascom Construction and the Arab Contractors.
The order award is subject to contract and final confirmation.
