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The first trains on the Seoul-Busan route left Seoul at 5:30
AM and Busan at 5:05, and the first on the Seoul-Mokpo route
left Yongsan at 5:25 and Gwangju at 5:20. Capacity was 80
percent on the first trains of the day, and the later ones
between Seoul and Busan were completely full.
One of the drivers of the trains reported: “I have
been in training since 2000. As there was little noise, it was
good and comfortable. There is little danger of derailment, due
to the articulation design. Any obstacle on the track will
automatically be detected. Safety and speed are our pride and
joy.”
The KTX story
ALSTOM has been part of the KTX story for over 10 years.
In 1994, The Korean High Speed Rail Construction Authority
(KHRC) chose TGV™ technology, extensively proven by the
SNCF in France, to modernize its railways, signing a contract
with a consortium led by ALSTOM and Eukorail for the supply of
a high-speed train system connecting Seoul to Busan. Eukorail
is a Korean-based subsidiary of ALSTOM, established in 1994 to
manage Franco-Korean consortiums for rail projects. The total
contract value for ALSTOM was 1.5 billion euros.
Philippe Mellier, president of ALSTOM Transport, said:
“We are very proud to see the results of such a long and
fruitful partnership with other French and Korean players.
“This has been one of ALSTOM's most challenging
projects — complex in its technology and scope and
cultural and geographical differences. It has also been hugely
enriching both in terms of experience on a professional and
human level.
“We wish Korea every success with its high speed rail
operations.”
For more information about the project and the
inauguration, see our
KTX Web magazine.
With more than 35 product lines and a presence in more
than 60 countries, ALSTOM's Transport sector offers complete
products and services for new rolling stock, signaling and
electrical and mecanical infrastructure as well as
maintenance and rehabilitation services to four distinct
types of customers: urban transit authorities and operators;
intercity passenger rail operators and rolling stock owners;
rail freight operators; and intercity railway infrastructure
owners. ALSTOM's Transport sector, with sales of
5.1 billion euros in financial year 2002-2003, is among
the world's leading suppliers to the railway industry.
Press information:
Helen Connolly
Tel. +33 (0)1 41 66 91 43
helen.connolly@transport.alstom.com
TGV™ is a registered trademark of the SNCF.