Milestone for Siemens in the French Railway Market
04 July 2002 16:50
Siemens has been awarded a contract by SNCF, the French National Railways, to supply 15 new Avanto type low-floor light rail transit vehicles with multi-system capability. The contract was officially signed in Paris today by SNCF chairman, Louis Gallois, and Prof. Edward G. Krubasik, member of the Corporate Executive Committee of Siemens AG. This is the first time that Siemens has received an order for rail vehicles from SNCF and that the Avanto concept has been sold on the Euro-pean market. This contract will serve as a reference and basis for further successes for this innovative system worldwide. The order is valued at around EUR 60 million and includes an option for a further 20 vehicles of the same type.
'We are pleased that we are now able to count such an important operator as SNCF among our rail customers', emphasized Krubasik, member of the Corporate Executive Committee of Siemens AG. 'The Avanto contract is a milestone for us in the attractive French railway market. It clearly shows that Siemens Transportation Systems, with its innovative products, is in a strong position to serve markets even as sophisticated as the French'.
Louis Gallois, chairman of SNCF, added: 'This contract is a very important step for public transportation, and particularly for SNCF. It clearly demonstrates SNCF values of public service, modernity and Europe, and illustrates our new corporate approach to transporting people in metropolitan areas: developing dual-system vehicles (′tram-trains′), able to run on rail lines in the outskirts of the cities, as well as on inner-city tramways, thus offering our cus-tomers direct access to the very heart of those cities. The ′tram-train′ concept also allows us to give a new and more urban look to existing rail lines inserted in densely populated areas.'
With its Avanto, Siemens is meeting the world's increasing demand for light rail systems which can be used as flexibly as possible thanks to the ability (multi-system technology) to operate on routes with different power supply systems. It means they can connect regions to the urban centers without passengers having to change trains. Such smooth train connec-tions are regarded as an essential prerequisite for making public transportation, both in the cities and the regions, more attractive for the commuters of the future. The vehicle can be supplied to operate with any of the standard line voltages. The transition from one voltage system to another takes place without the passenger noticing that anything has happened. With its optional diesel propulsion system, the Avanto can be used on nonelectrified routes as well.
This is what Herbert H. Steffen, President of the Transportation Systems Group (TS) of Siemens AG had to say on the matter: 'This contract from SNCF demonstrates once again that operators are increasingly looking to modular vehicle platforms to satisfy their needs. Siemens recognized this trend at an early stage and consistently addressed the challenge by introducing its Combino low-floor LRV and the Desiro family of regional multiple-unit trains. The Avanto low-floor light rail transit vehicle is a perfect complement to the portfolio of TS in this particular sector. The successes of all three vehicle concepts clearly demonstrate the international competitive edge of our modular systems.'
Modular means that, when individual railway systems are being planned, existing modules are combined individually within the framework of a clear, overall vehicle concept. The ad-vantage of such a building-block approach is that the vehicles are composed of systems and components which have been tested in trials and proven their worth in actual service. More-over, the use of standardized modules allows recurring manufacturing procedures and thus helps to make the manufacturing and maintenance costs more competitive. The 'building blocks' enable customers to flexibly compose the type of vehicle they need to match their special requirements in terms of performance, capacity and purpose.
SNCF has ordered the Avanto as a dual-system vehicle for operating voltages of 750 V DC (light rail transit) and 25 kV AC (regional rail service). The five-section LRT vehicles (called Tram-Train in France) are designed for an overall length of 37 meters, a capacity of around 240 passengers and a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour. They are due to be delivered between the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2005 and will then operate on an 8-kilometer route between the two towns of Aulnay-sous-Bois and Bondy on the eastern outskirts of Paris.
Orders for the Avanto have already been received from the U.S.A., where this vehicle con-cept is marketed under the name 'S70'. The cities of Houston and San Diego have ordered 18 and 11 light rail transit vehicles of this type respectively.
You will find pictures of the signing ceremony at
http://www.siemens.com/ts-picture/030
The Transportation Systems Group (TS) of Siemens AG is one of the leading international suppliers to the railways industry. As single source supplier and system integrator, the Group combines in its business seg-ments Automation & Power, Rolling Stock, Turnkey Systems and Integrated Services all the expertise neces-sary to cover the spectrum from signaling and control systems to traction power supplies, as well as rolling stock for mass transit, regional and main line services. Extensive experience in project management and forward-looking service concepts complement our portfolio. In fiscal 2001 (ended September 30) TS generated sales of €4.0 billion with a staff of around 14,800 the world over. Earnings before interest, tax and goodwill amortization (EBITA) amounted to €186 million. Further information on TS can be found at www.siemens.com/ts.
For more information on this company:
Siemens Transportation Systems - Signalling and Control Systems
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