Alstom Secures €850 Million Contract with Proxima for 12 Avelia Horizon High-Speed Trains and 15 Years of Maintenance

Alstom Secures €850 Million Contract with Proxima for 12 Avelia Horizon High-Speed Trains and 15 Years of Maintenance

(IN BRIEF) Alstom has announced a significant contract with Proxima, marking the first independent entry into France’s high-speed rail market. The agreement involves the supply of 12 Avelia Horizon very high-speed trains and includes 15 years of maintenance services to be provided at a workshop located in Marcheprime, near Bordeaux. The total value of the contract is approximately €850 million, with the first train deliveries expected by 2028. The Avelia Horizon, renowned for its ability to travel over 300 km/h, combines operational flexibility with high safety standards and passenger comfort, featuring innovative double-decker cars and compact power units. Proxima, led by industry veterans Rachel Picard and Tim Jackson, will utilize these trains to connect major cities like Bordeaux, Nantes, Rennes, and Paris within two hours, further enhancing the efficiency of the rail network in France. Ten of Alstom’s French production sites will contribute to this project, underscoring the company’s commitment to local manufacturing and innovation in rail technology.

(PRESS RELEASE) SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, 4-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Alstom, a global leader in sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions, has secured a landmark order from Proxima, the first independent player in the French high-speed rail sector. This agreement encompasses the delivery of 12 Avelia Horizon very high-speed trains, along with 15 years of maintenance services conducted at a dedicated facility built by Liséa in Marcheprime, near Bordeaux. The total value of this significant contract is nearly €850 million, with the initial deliveries projected for 2028.

The Avelia Horizon trains represent the latest advancement in Alstom’s high-speed rail technology, boasting the ability to reach speeds of over 300 km/h. This state-of-the-art, double-decker design enhances operational flexibility and prioritizes passenger safety and comfort. Each train features two innovative, compact power cars, complemented by articulated double-decker carriages, ensuring maximum efficiency and service quality.

With a focus on reducing operational costs, the Avelia Horizon has fewer bogies than traditional models, significantly decreasing preventive maintenance expenses, which typically account for around 30% of overall costs. Additionally, with the highest passenger capacity available in the market, these trains promise to offer superior service while minimizing costs per seat.

Proxima, recently launched in June 2024, is spearheaded by seasoned railway industry experts Rachel Picard and Tim Jackson. The company is fully financed by Antin Infrastructure Partners and backed by a consortium of prominent French and international banks. Proxima’s high-speed services will connect major cities including Bordeaux, Nantes, Rennes, Angers, and Paris, ensuring travel times of two hours or less.

A significant aspect of this project is its emphasis on local manufacturing, with ten of Alstom’s sixteen French facilities involved in the production of these trains.

Key sites include:

• Belfort: Power cars
• La Rochelle: Passenger cars and project management
• Villeurbanne: Control-command systems and passenger information systems
• Ornans: Engines
• Le Creusot: Bogies
• Tarbes: Traction and electrical cabinets
• EDC Toulouse: Electrical circuits
• Petit-Quevilly: Transformers
• Saint-Ouen: Design and signaling
• Valenciennes (CDS Interiors): Train interiors

This contract has been recorded in the second quarter of Alstom’s 2024/25 fiscal year.

Alstom™, Avelia™, and Avelia Horizon™ are registered trademarks of the Alstom Group.

Media Contacts:

Philippe Molitor
philippe.molitor@alstomgroup.com

Martin Vaujour
martin.vaujour@alstomgroup.com

Estelle Maturell Andino
estelle.maturell@alstomgroup.com

SOURCE: Alstom