Alstom’s railcar design for Kochi, India metro unveiled
The 213-foot train, composed of 3 cars, has an open gangway allowing passengers to walk from one end of the train to the other. The interior provides a feeling of serenity and security with sections marked in two bright, harmonious colors: green turquoise and lemon used for the seats and the handles, according to the company.
The design of the new Kochi, India Metropolis trainset, built by Alstom, was unveiled by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) to Kochi residents.
The new metro will run on the Kochi’s new fully elevated metro rail network. Alstom, which was awarded the supply of 25 Metropolis trainsets in 2014 and two others during the course of 2015, is the main supplier of the city’s new metro network.
The Kochi metro was designed by Alstom’s Design & Styling department in Saint-Ouen in collaboration with the operator KMRL and TATA Elxsi to enhance passenger experience, reflect KMRL’s identity and blend seamlessly into the city.
The 213-foot train, composed of 3 cars, has an open gangway allowing passengers to walk from one end of the train to the other. The interior provides a feeling of serenity and security with sections marked in two bright, harmonious colors: green turquoise and lemon used for the seats and the handles, according to the company.
The metro train comprises 136 seats per car in a longitudinal seating arrangement optimizing transport capacity (975 passengers per car) and facilitating passenger boarding. The seats are made of a polyester composite, making them particularly easy to clean and maintain. For the comfort of elderly passengers or pregnant women, priority seats are cushioned. Persons with reduced mobility and wheelchair users will be able to use dedicated areas in the metro car while commuting.
The front end of the train is made of polyester. Mostly green turquoise in color, it perfectly reflects KMRL’s new image, reinforced by the distinctive shape of its curved windshield. Representing an iconic symbol of India, the front LED lights are in the shape of elephant's tusks. As the metro runs on a viaduct, the lights will illuminate the city at night. The side of the train is made of stainless steel. The train panels are made with aluminum and composites as well as anti-graffiti protection. The metro train features four external sliding doors per side making passenger traffic much smoother.
Xavier Allard, Director Design & Styling, Alstom Transport said, “The design of the Kochi metro has set a new benchmark in urban mobility in India with its aesthetically-pleasing and stylish designs and technological innovations promoting greener urban transportation in the country. The metro for Kochi supports KMRL’s efforts to provide a comfortable, attractive and reliable service to Kochi residents and illustrates one of Alstom’s key strategies to enhance passenger experience”.
Funding for the purchase of the railcars comes from the nearly $220 million in additional capital dollars Gov. Josh Shapiro allocated in November 2025 to support urgent safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
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