photo: Alstom / Public domain/Illustrative photo
Driverless metro lines and cutting-edge automation are transforming urban transit in Europe. Alstom leads the charge with revolutionary upgrades in Lille and Madrid.
Lille Modernizes Its Metro Fleet
As Le Figaro reports, the Métropole Européenne de Lille (MEL) has entrusted Alstom with the supply of 15 additional 52-meter-long automated metro trainsets, valued at approximately EUR 210 million. This order complements the 27 trainsets previously ordered, with deliveries set to replace the aging VAL-208 fleet starting in 2028.
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Frédéric Wiscart, President of Alstom France, pointed out the project’s impact: "These modern and comfortable metros represent a considerable asset for improving the network and the passenger experience."
The new metros, part of Alstom's Metropolis portfolio, are designed for greater capacity and efficiency. According to the press release from Alstom, each train can accommodate up to 545 passengers and features a "boa" configuration, allowing seamless movement between cars. Accessibility improvements include dedicated spaces for passengers with reduced mobility, enhanced passenger information systems, and integrated video protection for safety. Additionally, the new-generation Urbalis Fluence autopilot system will enable a train frequency of every 66 seconds during peak hours, solidifying Lille’s position as the most frequent metro system globally.
The new metro trains are built with sustainability at their core. Featuring high-performance traction equipment, they reduce energy consumption while maintaining performance. According to Alstom, the trains are being produced across six Alstom sites in France, including Valenciennes-Petite Forêt for design and assembly, and Tarbes for powertrain equipment.
Madrid Advances Toward Driverless Operations
In Spain, Alstom has secured a groundbreaking contract with Metro de Madrid to upgrade the signaling system on Line 6, marking the city's first driverless metro line, as reported by Railway Gazette International. Spanning 23.5 kilometers and serving 28 stations, Line 6 handles nearly 400,000 daily commuters, making it one of Madrid’s busiest routes.
According to a press release from Alstom, the project involves upgrading the current communications-based train control (CBTC) system from Grade of Automation 2 (GoA2) to Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4). This advancement will enable fully autonomous operations, improving efficiency, punctuality, and energy savings. The contract also includes the design and installation of a new Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) system for enhanced monitoring and control. Leopoldo Maestu, Managing Director of Alstom Spain and Portugal, stated: "This contract reinforces our commitment to enhance mobility for Madrid residents and visitors by implementing state-of-the-art technology and continuous innovation."
Alstom’s Urbalis CBTC system, already operating on 190 metro lines across 32 countries, is renowned for its safety, reliability, and capacity improvements. The technology has been implemented in major cities like São Paulo, Paris, Riyadh, and Shanghai. For Madrid, this system will increase train frequencies and reduce energy consumption, transforming the commuting experience for residents.
A Hub of Innovation
Alstom’s Railway Signaling Excellence Centre in Madrid will lead the project, leveraging its expertise in urban and mainline signaling technologies. The center employs over 800 digital mobility experts, contributing to projects like the Tren Maya in Mexico, high-speed trains in Saudi Arabia, and metro systems in Istanbul and Cairo.
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Alstom’s longstanding partnership with Metro de Madrid spans over 50 years, with contributions including traction systems for 85% of the fleet and the first CBTC system for Lines 1 and 6. The company’s Trápaga industrial center in Bizkaia continues to support the metro network’s modernization.
Source: Alstom; Le Figaro; Railway Gazette International