Alstom chosen by RATP and SNCF for the renovation of the
RER trains on Ile-de-France line B

In the first stage, Alstom will conduct studies and supply
the upgrade kit for a pre-series trainset (air conditioning
equipment, cabling, seats, etc.) required for modernization of
the trains. Alstom will also take part with RATP in the
assembly of the new equipment on the trainset. In the second
stage, Alstom will supply upgrade kits for the other 118
trainsets, the updating of the assembly documentation and the
training of the RATP and SNCF teams in charge of the
upgrade.

Alstom will deliver the first upgrade kit in March 2009, to
enable the pre-series train to operate from the third quarter
of that year. Delivery of the 118 series kits will commence in
the first quarter of 2010 and continue at a rhythm of between
18 and 46 units per year.

The renovated trainsets will offer greater comfort. The
passenger compartments will be equipped with a refrigerated
ventilation system, while the seats, grab poles, ceilings,
passenger information system and the lighting will be
completely renewed. Lastly, the access doors at the ends of
each train will be designed to be able to accommodate, in time,
an automatic step that facilitates the boarding.

Design of the new interior arrangement has been headed up by
the Alstom Design & Styling department. The companys
Reichshoffen facility (Renovation Center of
Excellence), located close to Strasbourg (France) will
manufacture and deliver the upgrade kits. The assembly will be
handled by RATP and SNCF in their own workshops.

Built in Alstoms Valenciennes factory, the MI79/Z8100
trainsets were delivered to RATP and SNCF from 1980. After this
mid-life renovation, the 119 trains, which have
been operated daily for around the past 25 years, will be able
to prolong their time in service by an additional 15 to 20
years. 850,000 passengers take the RER Ile-de-France line B
each day.

Press contact

Philippe Kasse
(Corporate)                        Laurent
Gerbet, Eric Lenoir (Transport)


Tel +33 1 41 49 29 82 /33
08                      Tel
+33 1 41 66 92 83 / 98 74

press@chq.alstom.com                  

Investor
Relations     


Emmanuelle Châtelain


Tel + 33 1 41 49 37 38 

investor.relations@chq.alstom.com