Collaborations and new contracts to enhance rolling stock infrastructure

Government authorities and corporations on various continents have been taking necessary efforts to modernize the rolling stock infrastructure and offer safety and convenience to passengers. Railway corporations from Europe, Africa, and North America have been handing over contracts and signing collaboration agreements with different companies. These new contracts involve transforming and maintaining the infrastructure along with ensuring sustainable solutions. Advanced technologies will be implemented to reduce material consumption and save costs. In addition, new rolling stocks, railroads, and maintenance centers will be constructed. The demand for new and modernized rolling stock is expected to increase in the coming years. According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global rolling stock market is expected to generate $78.7 billion by 2030. Following are some of the activities taking place across the world.

Collaboration is one of the major strategies adopted by market players to combine expertise and offer better solutions than before. Government authorities also realized the importance of collaborative efforts to build enhanced systems. JSC Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) collaborated with DB Engineering and Consulting for upgrading rolling stock and availing other railways-related services. Ukrainian Railways aims to transform the infrastructure throughout the country and bring expertise to the German firm. DB is expected to analyze and determine the prospects for procuring and producing passenger rolling stocks such as electric trains, diesel trains, and night train cars. Moreover, Ukrainian Railways will also consider the choice of Ukrainian manufacturers for producing such trains. However, DB will provide technical consulting and necessary support in the transformation, modernization, and management of the railway infrastructure.

Along with collaborations, the government authorities have been offering metro rolling stock contracts to eligible foreign companies. Alstom has been awarded the largest metro rolling stock contract in Egypt. The French company is expected to provide 55 nine-car trains for Metro Line 1 in the Egyptian capital Cairo. The €876 million contract involves maintenance for eight years. Metro Line 1 is the oldest metro line in Egypt and moves nearly 2.5 million passengers between El Marg and Helwan every day. This metro line will be upgraded and the contract with the French rolling stock player is a part of the effort. The expertise and new trains are expected to improve the capacity of the line.

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, the CEO of Alstom, highlighted that the company will play a role in the modernization and development of an urban network in Egypt. Its technologically advanced and proven solution will help residents in commuting comfortably and safely every day. Under the contract, there will be the implementation of digital products such as dynamic route maps, real-time passenger information, and video surveillance. Moreover, the predictive maintenance-based product HealthHub will also be a part of the contract. This product will play a major part in saving nearly 20% on preventive maintenance labor and 15% on material consumption.

The trend of offering contracts for rolling stock projects continues, this time in the European region. Chantiers Modernes Construction, a subsidiary of Vinci Construction, signed a contract deal with Société du Grand Paris. The $95.44m (€82m) contract involves the construction of a rolling stock maintenance center in France. This center is estimated to serve the Line 18 of the Grand Paris Express, which is the largest mobility project active in Europe. The center will include a maintenance base for infrastructure and keep equipment such as power distribution systems, tracks, and others. The depot and maintenance base are expected to be established at the facility for automatic metro trains that are nearly 45m-60m long. Moreover, there will be a central control room, electrical utility rooms, the Tour en Fosse building, and other technical facilities. The Vinci Group will also execute different projects such as underground works, information technologies, rail works, urban development, and electrical engineering in relation to the Grand Paris Express.

The North American region has been taking different initiatives to modernize its infrastructure and awarding contracts. Siemens Mobility received a new rolling stock contract for designing, manufacturing, and technically supporting 73 multi-power trains for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Amtrak. There is a possibility of the addition of 140 trains and maintenance agreements. Along with modernizing and maintaining the infrastructure, Amtrak aims to expand the overall capacity and reduce trip time with the addition of new trains. Moreover, new trains will be able to commute 1.5 million residents every year.

Bill Flynn, the CEO at Amtrak, highlighted that the addition of new trains is expected to modernize rail travel by replacing the 40-50 years old fleet. The state of the art and modern equipment will be utilized in new trains. This will reduce carbon emissions and enable safe and comfortable travel for residents. Sustainable and intelligent technology will be utilized to protect the environment in the U.S. Real-time information about vehicles can be collected and the safety of passengers can be ensured. This contract outlines the commitment to improving rail systems and providing sustainable options to travel.