SNCF orders 66 double-deck cars for regional express trains in an order worth 130 million euros

The follow-on order corresponds to an option in a contract signed in November 2000 as part of an investment program to be carried out over several years and financed by regional authorities, for 629 new cars.

The current order, which calls for 22 three-car trainsets, brings the total number of cars ordered in the framework so far to 393. The trainsets will serve the regions Rhône Alpes (6 ), Lorraine (6) and Nord Pas de Calais (10 ).

Delivery of the first order is expected to begin at the end of 2006.

The trains are destined to reinforce the operator's service around major regional metropolitan areas, offering passengers high-quality, fast, comfortable and safe rail travel.

The TER 2N NG (the abbreviation in French for new-generation double-decker regional express trains) vehicles are from the CORADIA Duplex product family. They allow configuration of distributed-power trainsets composed of two to five cars, according to the operators needs, and offer a high level of comfort with large capacity.

The distributed-power characteristic enables the maintenance of acceleration whatever configuration is chosen, with top speeds of 160 kph. The three-car trainsets have a capacity of 339 passengers.

Today 46 trainsets are in service in the following regions : Nord Pas de Calais, Rhône Alpes, Provence Cote dAzur, Picardie, Centre et Lorraine and 5 also on the Luxembourg national railway network.

In partnership with ALSTOM, Bombardier will also participate in the manufacture of the trains. ALSTOMs sites in Valenciennes, Tarbes, Villeurbanne, Le Creusot in France and Charleroi in Belgium are all involved in executing the contract.

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 mechanical 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 2004-2005, is among the world's leading suppliers to the railway industry.

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