Alstom and Hamburger Hochbahn sign framework contract worth up to €2.8 bn for new metro trains and innovative signalling technology

The U5 metro line will be fully equipped with the state-of-the-art Urbalis signalling solution for driverless operation. This will increase punctuality, frequency and energy efficiency. Once all 23 stations have been completed, the U5 can operate at 90 second intervals. This will enable around 270,000 passengers to be transported quickly and safely on the U5 every day.

The production of the new generation DT6 metros will take place at the Alstom site in Salzgitter, Germany, and is scheduled to start in 2026, with delivery of the first vehicles planned for early 2028. The start of passenger operation on the first section of the new line U5 is scheduled for 2029. The Alstom site in Berlin, Germany, is leading project execution of the digital rail segment, including signalling.

Müslüm Yakisan, President DACH region at Alstom: "This contract is a milestone for Alstom. With the new metro trains and the equipping of the fully automated U5 line with innovative control and safety technology, Hamburg is meeting the growing demand for mobility and sending an international signal for digital and green mobility. All of Hamburg’s metro trains are from Alstom and we are delighted to be able to continue our successful collaboration with Hamburger Hochbahn, which goes back over 60 years. Passengers can look forward to new metro trains with modern passenger information systems, air conditioning, USB charging stations and panoramic windows."

Robert Henrich, CEO of Hamburger Hochbahn AG: "With the new vehicles, we are modernising our fleet and creating the conditions for fully automatic operation on the U5. The new DT6 will offer customers a completely new experience – from the interior design, transparency and brightness to the modern information systems that provide passengers with optimum orientation. All to the highest technical standard. At the same time, the new subway trains will shape Hamburg's cityscape like no other vehicle.”

Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition: "We are securing the future viability of our city with major investments in the expansion of the rail network and in intelligent and efficient transport systems. With the new trains from Alstom, we are bringing more comfort, more space, service and safety to Hamburg's public transport system and creating a modern, attractive mobility offering for people. As a result, up to 374 new fully and semi-automatic vehicles will be deployed in the city, the first 48 of which will go into operation in the foreseeable future. With this contract, we are laying the foundation for the growth of the Hamburg subway in the coming decades. At the end of 2018, Hochbahn had around 250 vehicles in operation, currently there are 290. The contract will enable Hamburg to increase the number of subway trains in Hamburg by around 50 percent by 2050. In addition, the integration of state-of-the-art signalling technology on the U5 will enable more efficient communication between trains, resulting in more punctual and faster service. This is a real quantum leap for the mobility transition and sustainable transportation.”

Global leader in metros and CBTC systems

The DT6 metros for Hamburg are part of Alstom’s market leading Metropolis metro solution. This is a new generation of metro solution which has been developed and adapted to meet the specific needs of its German customer. Metropolis metros are characterised by flexible configurations, low noise levels, high recyclability and optimised energy efficiency. More than 35,000 metro cars have been ordered or are in operation in more than 70 cities in 40 countries. Alstom is the world leader in CBTC systems. The company has been awarded contracts for the installation of over 190 CBTC systems in more than 30 countries. In total, over 2,500 kilometres of track are already successfully in operation.

[1] Communication Based Train Control

[2] Order intake in the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, as previously announced in a note to investors on 17 June 2024.

[3] Grade of Automation Level 4 (unattended train operation)

Alstom™, Metropolis™ and Urbalis™ are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.