Alstom wins Lille metro contract

Alstom is to supply 27 automatic trainsets to Lille Métropole to modernise Line 1 of the city's metro.

The manufacturer will provide an integrated system, which includes an automatic driver system and 27 rubber-tyred metro trainsets. The project value is €250 million.

The automatic trainsets from Alstom's Metropolis range will be double in length to the existing fleet and will carry up to 545 people. Alstrom's Urbalis signalling system control equipment will replace the current system.

The modernisation of Line 1 will double transport capacity and will lead to a reduction in energy consumption of -20%.

Work will start in mid-2012. The new system is scheduled to come into service progressively from 2015. The entire Line 1 modernisation will be completed in 2017, with work carried out without disturbing line operation.