Trenitalia orders an additional 100 Minuetto trains

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Trenitalia, the Italian national railways’ passenger-transport company, has ordered a further 100 CORADIA ''Minuetto'' trains (49 electric trains and 51 diesel trains) from ALSTOM for a total amount of about €315 million.

The order falls within the framework of a multiyear investment program by Trenitalia that foresees the acquisition of 200 trains from ALSTOM's CORADIA family. In 2001 34 trains were ordered within this framework, followed in 2002 by a further 3 trains.

Including the current contract, the total number of CORADIA Minuetto trains ordered is 137 (70 electric and 67 diesel), with a total value of approximately €430 million.

Named Minuetto by the customer in May 2002, these state-of-the-art, articulated, three-car trainsets will have partial low floors, allowing easy access for mobility-impaired passengers. The trains can carry up to 345 passengers.

The electric trains will operate at a maximum speed of 160 kph, and the diesel trains at 130 kph.

The car interiors will be air-conditioned and feature a multifunctional storage area for the transport of bicycles, skis and luggage. Each car will be equipped with a video control system, a passenger information system and power-supply sockets for passengers' portable computers, entertainment devices, mobile phones or other personal appliances.

The trains will reinforce regional service in Italy, offering passengers high-quality, fast, comfortable and safe rail travel. A full-scale model of the train is currently being demonstrated in the Italian regions and has been already visited by more than 100,000 future passengers.

ALSTOM's Italian units in Savigliano, Sesto San Giovanni and Colleferro will carry out both contracts.

Delivery of the first 37 trains will start in February 2004, and all 137 trains currently on order should be delivered by the end of 2005.

Emilio Gallocchio, ALSTOM's Country President for Italy, said: ''This contract is a testament to our customer’s confidence in the know-how and expertise that ALSTOM will exercise in providing these state-of-the-art trains.''

With more than 35 product lines and a presence in over 60 countries, ALSTOM's Transport Sector offers cutting-edge products and services to four distinct types of customers: urban transit authorities and operators; intercity passenger rail operators and rolling stock owners; rail freight operators; and intercity railway infrastructure owners. ALSTOM's Transport Sector, with €4.4 billion in sales in 2001, is among the world's leading suppliers to the railway industry. 

Press information: Helen Connolly
Tel. +33 (0)1 41 66 91 43
helen.connolly@transport.alstom.com