Paris orders more trains from Alstom-Bombardier consortium

Paris’ STIF ordered 10 additional MI09 double-deck trains from the Alstom-Bombardier consortium, with the total amount of the contract approaching $170 million.

The order relates to a purchase option on a contract awarded to the Alstom-Bombardier consortium in 2009. The new trains — set to be delivered during 2017 — will operate on the RER line A, which carries 1.2 million passengers per day, making it the busiest regional line in Europe.

The new order aims at strengthening the line's performance by increasing trains capacity and frequencies. It goes along operations that are related to a performance master plan being conducted on the line.

Each MI09 train can carry up to 1,725 people at a maximum speed of approximately 69 miles per hour. The trains are composed of five cars, each with three wide doors on each side to optimize passenger flow in stations. Its high-performance electric braking system reduces the train's energy consumption. A train-ground Wi-Fi link transmits operating parameters for the train, making it possible to anticipate maintenance operations and guarantee a reliable service.