KTX opens for commercial service

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The first trains on the Seoul-Busan route left Seoul at 5:30
AM and Busan at 5:05, and the first on the Seoul-Mokpo route left
Yongsan at 5:25 and Gwangju at 5:20. Capacity was 80 percent on
the first trains of the day, and the later ones between Seoul and
Busan were completely full.

One of the drivers of the trains reported: “I have been
in training since 2000. As there was little noise, it was good
and comfortable. There is little danger of derailment, due to the
articulation design. Any obstacle on the track will automatically
be detected. Safety and speed are our pride and joy.”

The KTX story

ALSTOM has been part of the KTX story for over 10 years.

In 1994, The Korean High Speed Rail Construction Authority
(KHRC) chose TGV™ technology, extensively proven by the
SNCF in France, to modernize its railways, signing a contract
with a consortium led by ALSTOM and Eukorail for the supply of a
high-speed train system connecting Seoul to Busan. Eukorail is a
Korean-based subsidiary of ALSTOM, established in 1994 to manage
Franco-Korean consortiums for rail projects. The total contract
value for ALSTOM was 1.5 billion euros.

Philippe Mellier, president of ALSTOM Transport, said:
“We are very proud to see the results of such a long and
fruitful partnership with other French and Korean players.

“This has been one of ALSTOM's most challenging projects
— complex in its technology and scope and cultural and
geographical differences. It has also been hugely enriching both
in terms of experience on a professional and human level.

“We wish Korea every success with its high speed rail
operations.”

For more information about the project and the inauguration,
see our
KTX
Web magazine.

With more than 35 product lines and a presence in more than
60 countries, ALSTOM's Transport sector offers complete
products and services for new rolling stock, signaling and
electrical and mecanical infrastructure as well as maintenance
and rehabilitation 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 sales of 5.1 billion euros
in financial year 2002-2003, 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

TGV™ is a registered trademark of the SNCF.