photo: Alstom; MABH/Illustrative photo
What links Istanbul’s underground and Kuala Lumpur’s airport rails? Alstom. With new projects in Türkiye and Malaysia, the rail giant is reinforcing its role as a global enabler of next-generation transport infrastructure.
Alstom has announced two major developments in its international operations. In Türkiye, the company is delivering the nation’s first-ever Rigid Overhead Catenary System (ROCS) as part of the Halkalı–Kapıkule high-speed line. In Malaysia, it is preparing for the launch of its Innovia APM R driverless trainsets at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), enhancing one of Southeast Asia’s busiest transit hubs.
Türkiye: First Rigid Catenary for High-Speed Rail
In a significant milestone, Alstom has signed a contract with RESA A.Ş. to supply the first Rigid Overhead Catenary System in Türkiye for the Halkalı–Ispartakule section of the high-speed rail line connecting Halkalı and Kapıkule. According to Alstom, this section includes a double-track tunnel stretching 7 kilometres beneath local districts and Küçükçekmece Lake, forming a key segment of the broader 229-kilometre corridor.
"At Alstom, we have been dedicated to developing Türkiye's railway sector for over 70 years," said Kerem Bugay, Managing Director of Alstom Türkiye. "This new contract marks another important milestone, combining our global expertise and strong local team." The ROCS technology, manufactured at Alstom’s Valmadrera facility in Italy, is designed to be cost-efficient, compact, and ideal for tunnel applications, with aluminium conductors and copper contact wires ensuring durability and low maintenance.
Serkan Atalar, Managing Director of RESA A.Ş., added that the project represents a historic moment: "This will be the first high-speed train project in Türkiye to implement a rigid catenary system, and we are especially proud to be the first company in our country to carry this out."
Once completed, the Halkalı–Kapıkule line will become an integral part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). It is expected to boost passenger capacity by 80% and freight movement by 45%, according to Alstom, significantly enhancing Türkiye’s logistics and trade integration with Europe.
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Malaysia: Innovia APM R Ready to Serve at KLIA
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Alstom has delivered three Innovia APM R trainsets for the Automated People Mover (APM) system at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). These new units will begin revenue service on 1 July 2025, operated under the upgraded Urbalis Flo CBTC signalling system—formerly known as CityFlo 650.
Each trainset has a capacity of 270 passengers and includes advanced condition monitoring to ensure safety and reliability. The Urbalis Flo system enables driverless operations, helping to optimise capacity and minimise delays. According to Yann Maixandeau, Managing Director for Alstom Singapore and Malaysia, "KLIA plays a pivotal role in ensuring Malaysia remains at the forefront of world-class transportation. This project is a testament to our commitment to support Malaysia’s infrastructure goals."
Built with smart climate control, regenerative braking, and inclusive accessibility features, the Innovia APM R is tailored for airport passenger flows, with wide entry points and a modular design for operational flexibility. The project is being implemented by Alstom in collaboration with a joint venture of IJM Construction Sdn Bhd and Pestech Technology Sdn Bhd, with Alstom taking the lead coordination role. The trains underwent rigorous testing by Malaysia’s Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) from January to June 2025.
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Source: Alstom Press Releases