Alstom to supply 10 additional Coradia Polyvalent to the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

30 July 2019 – Alstom will supply 10 additional Coradia Polyvalent Léman Express trains to the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes for a sum of approximately 70 million euros. They will operate mainly in the north-east of the region, notably the department of Haute-Savoie, to create a modern, homogeneous fleet in this developing sector. Deliveries will take place from December 2020 to May 2021.

The region had already ordered 17 Coradia Polyvalent[1], due to enter service on the Franco-Swiss cross-border Léman Express line in mid-December 2019.

Made up of four cars, the Coradia Polyvalent Léman Express trains provide a total capacity of 204 seats with a ‘suburban’-style interior layout and a high level of comfort: seats equipped with individual reading lights and electric sockets, mild air conditioning adjusted to the occupancy rate (CO2 measurement) for better climatic comfort, dedicated bicycle areas, large windows, a full low floor for ease of access, and reduced noise and vibration levels. At the region’s request, the 10 Coradia Polyvalent trains will be equipped with security cameras. The region also asked for their Wi-Fi equipment to be carefully designed to offer a high-quality service, very much in demand among the passengers.

These new Coradia Polyvalent trains will benefit from the same characteristics as those due to enter operation on the Léman Express network: seven doors on each side, all equipped with bridge plates, a large reception area on the platforms and a first-class area. Designed to ensure cross-border connections with ERTMS[2] technology, Coradia Polyvalent Léman Express trains can run on several types of network voltages[3].

"Alstom is honoured by this renewed sign of confidence from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The expertise and innovation capacities of our French teams are mobilised to support the region’s modernisation plan for the regional TER rail lines, for the passengers’ benefit. These new trains with high comfort levels, in compliance with the latest standards and accessibility requirements for people with reduced mobility, will incorporate the latest technology in terms of information and connectivity. This order also contributes to the activity of the Alstom site located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in Villeurbanne," says Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, President of Alstom in France.

Coradia Polyvalent for Régiolis belongs to Alstom's Coradia range of trains. With its modular architecture, it can be adapted to the requirements of each public transport authority as well as to different types of use: suburban, regional and intercity. It comes in three lengths (56, 72 or 110 metres) and offers optimal comfort to passengers, whatever the length of the journey. The train is both ecological and economical due to its low energy consumption, its compliance with the latest emissions standards in thermal mode and its reduced maintenance costs. Coradia Polyvalent is the first French regional train to comply with all European standards, in particular with regard to access for people with reduced mobility.

To date, 348 Coradia Polyvalent trains have been ordered as part of the contract awarded to Alstom by SNCF in October 2009, including 287 Coradia Polyvalent for Régiolis by 9 French regions and 61 Coradia Liner by the French state, the authority responsible for the country’s TET (intercity) trains. Régiolis has already covered more than 50 million kilometres in commercial service.

The Coradia Polyvalent train also meets the needs of the export market: 17 trains have been ordered by SNTF (Algeria) and 15 trains by APIX (Senegal).

The manufacture of Coradia Polyvalent involves more than 4,000 jobs in France at Alstom and its suppliers. Six of Alstom's 13 sites in France are involved in the project: Reichshoffen for the design and assembly, Ornans for the engines, Le Creusot for the bogies, Tarbes for the traction chains, Villeurbanne for the on-board computerised systems and signalling products, and Saint-Ouen for the design.

[1] The financing of these 17 trains was fully covered by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, for a sum of 210 million euros (of which 160 million for Alstom)

[2] European rail interoperability standard

[3] 25 kV, 1500 V and 15kV for Germany and Switzerland