ALSTOM Transport wins UK railways innovation award for
2005

The UK Railway Industry Innovation Award for 2005 has been won
by ALSTOM Transport for its Tilt Authorisation and Speed
Supervision (TASS) system. ALSTOM Transport Information Solutions
in the UK worked with its two partners, Virgin Trains and Network
Rail, to develop and install the system which operates on Virgin
Trains' West Coast Main Line Pendolino service. The award was
made at a Gala Presentation Dinner at London's Park Lane Hilton
Hotel on 21 March organised by the UK Railway Forum and one of
the leading trade journals - Modern Railways.

Steven Norris, Chairman of Jarvis Rail, presented the award.
He said:
It is a mark of how much the industry is changing that
it has the confidence to innovate. No industry can afford to
stand still in meeting the twin challenges of new technologies
and rising customer expectations.

The Railway Industry Innovation Awards encourage initiative
and innovation and showcase new thinking. Christopher Green,
Chairman of the Judging Panel and Chairman of The Railway Forum,
said:
There was a lot of very strong competition for all the
awards, especially the overall award. However it was the judges'
unanimous view that the ALSTOM Transport Information Solutions
entry was the best. The ALSTOM-led solution comprises
a safety mechanism to prevent the risk of a tilting high speed
train colliding with the infrastructure or a passing train and
ensure that any risk of driver over-speeding around curves is
eliminated.

Eric Prescott, ALSTOM Transport UK managing Director, said: "
The delivery of the TASS system was an outstanding
achievement for the ALSTOM team and our partners. This award,
which is one of the most prestigious in the UK rail industry, is
a fitting recognition of the work they have done and, together
with the consistent daily service delivery and increasing
reliability of the Pendolino fleet for the West Coast Main Line,
demonstrates the improving position for ALSTOM Transport in the
UK."

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

Tél. + 33 (0) 1 41 66 97 16

susanne.trabitzsch@transport.alstom.com