France’s SNCF selected the Alstom-Bombardier consortium to renew the trains on lines D and E of the Île-de-France network. The contract for 255 trains, worth an estimated $3.9 billion, is the largest contract ever financed by STIF.

Alstom, in partnership with Bombardier, will design and supply the new generation of two-tier equipment for lines D and E of the Île-de-France network, which is operated by SNCF Transilien. The first firm part of the order comprises the delivery of 71 trains, 100% funded by STIF (this amount includes all design studies, industrialization, project management, and homologation for a value of approximately $470 million. The first 71 trains will be delivered and enter circulation from 2021 onwards.

This "boa" train is entirely open (without separations between the cars) and was specifically designed for the dense zones of traffic in Île-de-France. Thanks to its large doors, the train provides extremely fluid passenger exits and entrances as well as offering three distinct travel spaces. Passengers can thus choose their space according to their journey time: platform zones for travelling standing-up when the journey is very short, making it easy to move around, like in the metro; mixed-use zones (standing or sitting) located lower down for journeys under 20 minutes, and higher up, areas offering regional-style comfort with more seating for longer trips. In each of the end cars, platforms provide wheelchair users with direct and quick access to dedicated spaces. Air conditioning, lighting, and seating have all been designed to provide a high level of comfort.

Based on Alstom's urban and suburban equipment solutions and enhanced by feedback from its customers, the train, baptized X'Trapolis Cityduplex, will guarantee the highest levels of availability, reliability, and safety. Each train can transport up to 1,860 passengers. Numerous innovations will reduce energy consumption by 25% compared to previous generations of equipment. The train notably contains eight motor bogies to provide superior performance compared to previous generations in terms of acceleration and deceleration with regenerative braking, an undeniable asset for exploitation.

To carry out this major project successfully, a total of around 2,000 people will work on the project under the Alstom-Bombardier consortium, including 550 experienced engineers, securing more than 8,000 jobs in the French rail sector.