Alstom, Bombardier, RATP and STIF celebrated the departure from the factory of the 100th MI09 duplex train destined for Line A of the RER network in Paris. The delivery is part of a contract awarded to the Alstom-Bombardier consortium in 2009. In February 2015, STIF1 ordered 10 extra trains, bringing the total number of trains ordered to 140.

Every MI09 can transport up to 2,600 passengers at maximum speeds of approximately 75 miles per hour. Each train is made up of five cars, each equipped with three large doors on either side to facilitate passenger exchange in the stations. Its highly efficient electrical braking system reduces the energy consumption of the trains. A Wi-Fi link between the train and the ground ensures the transmission of the train’s operational parameters, thus anticipating maintenance operations and guaranteeing a reliable service.

The MI09 trains are designed and produced in France on the industrial sites of Alstom in Valenciennes Petite-Forêt and Bombardier in Crespin. The five other French Alstom Transport sites involved are Ornans for the traction motors, Le Creusot for the bogies, Tarbes for the traction chain equipment, Petit Quevilly for the main transformer, and Villeurbanne for the passenger information and electronic control systems.

Line A of the Paris RER2 transports 1.2 million passengers a day, which makes it the most heavily frequented regional line in Europe.