Alstom Locomotives for Veolia Cargo: contract
fulfilled

As well as actually supplying the locomotives, Alstom will
be responsible for all preventive and corrective maintenance,
including upkeep on the French and German onboard security
systems, which Alstom is authorized to carry out in both
countries.



Set to leave Alstom's Belfort manufacturing unit in early July,
this 31st locomotive will be brought into service between
France and Germany. The locomotives have been specially
designed for use on both rail networks, and as such are fitted
with all necessary equipment, including a tri-current power
supply system and safety systems that meet both German and
French standards.



Alstom maintenance: rapid delivery at local
level


Alstom is committed to ensuring that the equipment it
manufactures for its clients is reliable and available in
accordance with its contractual obligations. The availability
rate for Veolia Cargo's fleet of Prima 3U15 locomotives
currently stands at 98%, a rate made possible through the
expertise, skills and flexibility of Alstom's operational
teams, which are ready to provide service 24/7 throughout
France and Germany.



Alstom has excellent network coverage, including its own
maintenance and spare-parts sites in Belfort and Valenciennes
plus a network of partner companies ready and able to work on
its locomotives regardless of where they might be. In a bid to
provide the speediest service possible, a flying maintenance
system has been set up, with mobile maintenance teams that can
be deployed to work directly on units on the line. A bilingual
24-hour-a-day telephone support service has been set up to help
drivers carry out basic repairs themselves or call out a mobile
team if required.



Through Alstom's TrainTracer technology, both maintenance teams
and operators have remote access to real-time information
regarding a locomotive's status and geographical position,
along with a diagnostic report. This helps to optimize fleet
management and availability while keeping costs down. The
result is that fleet downtime has been reduced by nearly 30%.




Tried-and-tested maintenance procedures


Alston has more than 15 years of solid experience in
maintenance provision. Every day, its 5,500 staff members are
responsible for ensuring that more than 4,500 pieces of rail
equipment throughout the world including 800
locomotives remain reliable, available and safe.



Alstom can supply spare parts, take over complete maintenance
responsibility and provide teams of experts and technicians.
All this adds up to a wide range of maintenance solutions
adapted to each clients specific requirements,
regardless of its equipments original manufacturer.



About Alstom Transport


With a focus on sustainable transport, Alstom Transport
develops and offers the most complete range of systems,
equipment and services on the rail market. Alstom Transport is
capable of managing an entire transport system, from rolling
stock to signalling and infrastructure, as well as offering
turnkey solutions. In 2008-2009, Alstom Transport had turnover
of 5.7 billion, and its orders had increased by 9% over
the previous financial year. Alstom Transport has a presence in
more than 60 countries and 27,000 employees.



Press contacts:

Laurent Gerbet


Tel.: +33 (0)1 57 06 92 83

laurent.gerbet@transport.alstom.com