Alstom bags €300m contract for NExTEO signalling system on RER B and D Lines in Île-de-France

Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility solutions, has secured a significant contract worth nearly €300 million. This framework agreement involves the development and implementation of the NExTEO signalling system on the RER B and RER D lines in the Île-de-France region, a major step in modernizing these critical urban rail lines.

NExTEO: A Leap Forward in Urban Rail Signalling

The NExTEO system is a state-of-the-art Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling solution. It’s a key component of a broader strategy to modernize and optimize the RER B and D lines’ infrastructure. The primary goal is to accommodate the growing number of passengers by enhancing the reliability of train services, especially in the congested central Paris tunnel between Gare du Nord and Châtelet-les-Halles stations.

NExTEO’s advanced technology is expected to significantly improve performance in central Paris and adaptively manage the suburban stretches of the RER B and D lines. It will also facilitate the simultaneous control of operational and interoperability rules applicable to both the SNCF National Railway Network and RATP’s extensive urban network, particularly benefiting the RER B line to the south.

A Testament to Alstom’s Expertise and Innovation

Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, President of Alstom France, expressed his delight at this new order, underscoring the trust of long-standing partners in Alstom’s products. With this contract, Alstom will be equipping a total of 350 trains and 100 kilometres of the two busiest RER lines in the Île-de-France region.

Alstom is a recognized leader in the CBTC market, with its advanced urban signalling solutions already in service on 145 lines globally, including in major European cities like Madrid, Milan, Lyon, Lausanne, Paris, and Amsterdam.

Leveraging French Expertise for Development and Deployment

For the NExTEO project, Alstom will draw on the expertise of its French sites in Saint-Ouen and Aix-en-Provence for system specifications, solution development, signalling system integration, deployment on the Ile-de-France network, and technical support. Villeurbanne will focus on on-board CBTC equipment, trackside signalling products, network, cybersecurity, and remote maintenance systems. These centres of expertise collectively employ over 2,200 skilled professionals in railway signalling, reinforcing Alstom’s position as a frontrunner in the field.

With the development and deployment of the NExTEO solution, Alstom continues to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing urban mobility solutions and contributing to the modernization of the public transport infrastructure in Paris and beyond.