Alstom and SNCB unveil the first train with autonomous access in Belgium
Alstom and SNCB unveil the first train with autonomous access in Belgium
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Alstom pursues its commitment to inclusivity and sustainability – making trains accessible to everyone
Alstom revealed on Thursday 15th February 2024, alongside Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Alstom's CEO and Chairman, and Sophie Dutordoir, CEO of SNCB, Belgium’s first train equipped with an automated accessibility system for people with reduced mobility at the Alstom facility in Bruges, Belgium.
Joined by Bernard Belvaux, Benelux's Managing Director, Xavier Thaler, Bruges site's Managing Director, and officials from the Belgian government, including Dirk De fauw, Mayor of Bruges, Georges Gilkinet, Vice Prime Minister & Minister of Mobility, and Karine Lalieux, Minister of Pensions, Social Integration, and Disability Affairs - marking a significant milestone for Belgian transportation.
“We are very proud to reveal, alongside our client SNCB, the first M7 carriage with automatic access for people with reduced mobility in Belgium."
“We are very proud to reveal, alongside our client SNCB, the first M7 carriage with automatic access for people with reduced mobility in Belgium. This marks a significant milestone towards sustainable, convenient, and accessible transportation solutions. Through the production of state-of-the-art trains in Bruges, we are dedicated to ongoing investments in manufacturing facilities within the local are.”
He adds “Alstom remains dedicated to driving significant change within the transportation sector, towards a greener, smarter and more inclusive future for all." Bernard Belvaux, Managing Director Benelux
The autonomously accessible carriages boast doors with a boarding height of 76 cms, matching the height of the new platforms. Prior to door opening, an automatic step extends, bridging the gap between the platform and the train, ensuring safe and independent boarding and alighting for passengers with reduced mobility.
Furthermore, inside the coach, essential modifications have been implemented to enhance passenger safety and comfort. Notable adjustments include wider door openings, additional handles, and lower pushbuttons for door operation. Additionally, the carriages feature adapted toilets and an intercom system for wheelchair users to request assistance if needed.
The development of these autonomously accessible carriages relied on the expertise and input of interest groups such as the High Council for Persons with Disabilities, CAWaB, and Unia. Their consultation, including visits to a model of the design, culminated in valuable recommendations, all of which were seamlessly integrated into the final product.
The M7 double decker is fitted with the European safety system ETCS, which offers continuous speed measurement and automatically applies brakes or halts the train if necessary. Each M7 train will include in the long term at least one carriage that can be accessed autonomously, along with a multipurpose carriage accommodating bicycles and prams.
