Transport: Alstom secures a 4 billion contract in Germany

The French company Alstom has announced that it has signed a contract worth 4 billion euros with the railway company in Cologne.

Records are meant to be broken. Thus, Alstom, one of the global leaders in mobility, once struggling and now thriving thanks to an effective restructuring in the early 2000s, has signed the largest contract in its history in Germany.

This contract involves the delivery of 90 suburban trains for the S-Bahn railway network in Cologne, along with their maintenance for a duration of… 34 years!

A new level of comfort

Germany is embarking on a massive decarbonization plan. This includes reinventing the rail model with unprecedented state funding. Since the beginning of 2023, a rail pass at 49 euros/month allows unlimited travel across the country. Its success has been enormous and should inspire other countries, including France.

The trains ordered from Alstom will be Adessia Stream trains in two versions: a short version of 9 cars (150 meters long and 1150 passengers) and a long version of 11 cars (170 meters long and 1340 passengers). Their maximum speed will be 140 km/h.

Onboard, wifi, power outlets, air conditioning, and special glazing for mobile network coverage will be part of the equipment. Each car will have multi-purpose spaces for strollers and bicycles, step-free access through gap fillers, and facilities designed for passengers with reduced mobility, including toilets—a first for suburban trains in Germany.

The development of the trains will be primarily handled by the Alstom site in Hennigsdorf (Germany), while production will take place in Bautzen (Germany).

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