FRANCE (Metro Rail News): Alstom, a leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has acquired a second order from SNCF Voyageurs for 15 Avelia Horizon new-generation ultra-rapid trains, worth over 590 million euros.
High-speed trains which are ordered are of new generation 4-voltage high-speed trains to satisfy the needs of European traffic. With a total purchase cost that is 20% less than the previous generation, the Avelia Horizon portfolio achieves ambitious goals in terms of competitiveness in the rail industry and profitability for SNCF Voyageurs.
Avelia Horizon is made up of two innovative short-length, high-performance, and compact power cars, as well as articulated double-deck coaches. When operating in the most effective configuration, the train can carry up to 740 passengers, which enables a 20% increase in passenger capacity.
The cost of maintenance will be more than 30% less than what SNCF Voyageurs in France. The maintainability of the train is taken into account during the design phase, and a remote diagnostic system enables predictive maintenance, which raises the reliability and availability of the trains. Numerous components have been improved to streamline, cut down on, and enable longer gaps between maintenance operations. The new generation of high-speed trains will use 20% less energy than current high-speed trains because of their aerodynamic design and more effective traction.
Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, President of Alstom France stated that “This order once more validates the success of incredibly high-speed trains and the Avelia Horizon platform. This solution addresses the technological, economic, and competitive difficulties of SNCF in an environment of strong passenger demand for low-carbon mobility options”.
