The Chilean operator Metro de Santiago awarded Alstom Transport a contract to supply automatic train control system for Santiago metro's line 1. This contract, worth approximately $70 million, concerns the renovation of the existing train control system, including design, manufacturing, installation, putting into service of the Urbalis solution and its maintenance for three years.

The Urbalis solution will significantly increase train frequency and transport capacity while ensuring optimal safety, flexible operations and heightened passenger comfort, according to Alstom.

The new system will also permit Metro de Santiago to reduce intervals between trains on line 1, allowing an increase of passengers per hour by 20 percent on the line that at present carries approximately one million passengers per day.

Implementation of the system on the line will be with no service interruptions and is scheduled to begin in September 2010.