FRANCE: SNCF Voyageurs has exercised an option for Alstom to supply a further 60 RER Nouvelle Génération electric multiple-units for use on Paris suburban lines D and E.
The €1bn order announced on April 26 is being financed by regional transport authority Île-de-France Mobilités.
It has been placed under a January 2017 framework agreement which covers up to 130 six-car sets for RER Line E and 125 seven-car units for Line D, with an initial €1·55bn firm order which covered 56 six-car and 15 seven-car sets.
The first set was formally unveiled at Alstom’s Valenciennes Petite-Forêt plant on November 22 2022. The initial sets are currently being tested on Line E with trials on Line D expected to start soon.
Alstom says the EMUs will reduce energy consumption by 25% compared to the existing fleet, thanks to the use of regenerative braking. The use of eight powered bogies on a seven-car set will also provide faster acceleration.
Each EMU offers a mix of three types of passenger space, reflecting the nature of RER operations. The lower deck has standing space for people making very short journeys and seats for journeys of less than 20 min, while the upper deck has a wider seat spacing to provide more comfort for passengers making longer regional journeys.
