ALSTOM has been awarded an order for the supply of 120 cars
for the Washington subway

metro_washington_l,1.jpg

This order is the exercise of an option provided in the
initial contract awarded to ALSTOM by WMATA in June 2002 for
the supply of 62 new heavy rail subway cars for the Blue Line
extension to Largo Town Center.

WMATA’S bus and metro lines serve nearly 336
million passengers per year in the Washington area. The 120
cars will serve to accommodate continued growth on the
Metrorail system, and be used to help WMATA to expand to
eigth-car trains.

The cars will be assembled in ALSTOM’s Hornell, NY
facilities. They will be fitted with ALSTOM’s proven
propulsion technology, the ONIXTM traction drives, and an
advanced cab signaling system.

In 2000, WMATA had already awarded ALSTOM a contract for
the overhaul of 364 subway cars which were built between 1983
and 1988. This contract represented Washington Metro’s
largest single order and was the most comprehensive fleet
renovation it has ever undertaken.

Francis Jelensperger, ALSTOM Transport’s SVP for
the Americas said : 'This third major contract from WMATA is a
clear demonstration of customer confidence in ALSTOM’s
products and services, which we shall honor.'

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 mechanical 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 4.9 billion euros
in financial year 2003-2004, is among the world's leading
suppliers to the railway industry.

Press information:

Susanne Trabitzsch:

Tel. +33 (0)1 41 66 97 16

susanne.trabitzsch@transport.alstom.com