Alstom upgrades up to 449 ÖBB vehicles with latest ETCS technology

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Marlies Felfernig

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  • Railjets and locomotives get state-of-the-art onboard signalling technology

17 July 2024 - Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, signs a contract with Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) to upgrade up to 449 vehicles with the latest onboard signalling system, order volume of over €100 million. With a project duration until 2030, Alstom will thus support ÖBB in providing reliable, cross-border passenger and freight transport throughout Europe.

Lilian Meyer, MD for Austria, portrait

“I am very happy that we are further expanding our activities in the Austrian rail market with the new ÖBB order. With Alstom’s state-of-the-art and internationally successful technology, ÖBB are fit for the future in the European rail transport”

Lilian Meyer
Managing Director of Alstom Austria

“I am very happy that we are further expanding our activities in the Austrian rail market with the new ÖBB order. With Alstom’s state-of-the-art and internationally successful technology, ÖBB are fit for the future in the European rail transport,” emphasizes Lilian Meyer, Managing Director of Alstom Austria.

The volume and density of traffic is constantly increasing, and rail transport is becoming more international. To meet these challenges safely, state-of-the-art signalling technology is being used and lines and vehicles are being upgraded. ETCS (European Train Control System) is a standardised, transnational railway safety system that is already in use in many European countries. The system improves train control by allowing trains to run at shorter intervals and increases safety by automatically braking trains if they are travelling too fast or too close together. The upgrade is an important step towards increasing rail transport capacity and reducing maintenance costs - all while maximising safety.

The framework agreement provides for up to 449 vehicles, with the first fixed call-off comprising 195 trains. The conversions required for the upgrade to ETCS Baseline 3.6 will take place under the responsibility of Alstom in the ÖBB workshops in Linz and Vienna. With over 120 ETCS projects worldwide, 24,800 onboard units in over 200 vehicle types and 13,300 km of equipped lines, Alstom is a global leader in the digitalisation of rail transport.