Back to the future for Melbourne trams

Student designs in the LightRail Toward 2020 competition need
to take into account Melbournes future needs outlined in
the Melbourne 2030 Plan, considering issues like environmental
sustainability and improved access for elderly and disabled
travellers. 

Students will also compete for an exciting two month,
all-expenses paid internship at the ALSTOM Headquarters Design
Studio in Paris, where the winners will work with and be mentored
by some of ALSTOMs top industrial designers.  The
competition will form part of the industrial design syllabus in
many of the universities, and departments of the winning students
will also receive design equipment prizes.


 


ALSTOM Customer Director in Australia, Christophe Gourlay, said
today: Given the rich history of Melbournes trams,
ALSTOM is delighted to sponsor LightRail Toward 2020 with its
Australian partner United Group Rail and for the chance to
provide this opportunity for Victorias designers of
tomorrow.  The students vision will shape the future
of the Citadis tram, which could form part of Melbournes
light rail future, and help ensure tram travel remains one of
Melbournes preferred forms of transport.

LightRail Toward 2020 will be co-ordinated by lab.3000,
Victorias centre for excellence in design and
innovation.  Associate Professor Di Fleming, Director of
lab.3000, said: This is a once in a lifetime opportunity
for Victorias young designers. We are grateful for the
support of Alstom and Australian rail icon United Group Rail and
delighted that the students will have the chance to benefit from
the experience of a renowned international organisation like
ALSTOM.  It would be wonderful to see a new generation
Citadis fleet designed by a local student to meet the needs of
Melbournes travelling public.   

ALSTOMs Citadis was the first low-floor tram introduced
to the streets of Melbourne in 2001.  A transport leader in
many major cities around the world including Paris, Rotterdam and
Dublin, the Citadis is known for its modern appearance, spacious
interiors and superior access for disabled travellers. 
Operated by Yarra Trams in Melbourne, the current fleet of 36
Citadis trams runs exclusively on route 109 between Box Hill and
Port Melbourne, facilitating approximately 14.5 million passenger
trips last year.

A briefing session for industrial design students will be held
tonight at the ANZ Pavilion in The Arts Centre, from 6.30pm
9.00pm.  Submissions close on 21 July 2006, with the
top ten finalists exhibiting their designs in October. The final
winner will be announced at the end of October. 

About ALSTOM Transport

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 5.1 billion euros in financial year
2004-2005, is among the world's leading suppliers to the railway
industry.

About United Group Rail

United Group Rail is a subsidiary of United Group
Limited (ASX:UGL), a broad based infrastructure and industrial
services group operating in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
United Group Rail is Australias foremost provider of
design, manufacturing, engineering, maintenance and spare parts
solutions to the rail and tram sectors, with a nation-wide
presence in Australia and New Zealand and with growing operations
in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia.  
www.unitedgroupltd.com

For more information, please contact:

 Nicola McAlpine at Edelman:  (03) 9863 7623
or
nicola.mcalpine@edelman.com

 Serena Middleton at Edelman: (03) 9863 7627 or
serena.middleton@edelman.com

 Adeline Teo at Alstom Transport: (65) 6236 1584 or
adeline.teo@transport.alstom.com

 Shane Pont at United Group Rail: 0437 896 435