Alstom and Thales awarded $370m Hong Kong metro contract

MTR Corporation, the body that manages Hong Kong’s rail system, has awarded a $370m contract to Alstom and Thales to upgrade the signalling systems of seven metro lines.  

Thales is the consortium leader and will provide technical support; Alstom will handle project management. 

This project will equip the MTR’s lines with the latest communications-based train control (CBTC)  technology, which will allow the operator to add capacity to the existing infrastructure while improving its reliability and ease of maintenance. 

The consortium will be responsible for the replacement of the existing signalling system including automatic train supervision, interlocking and automatic train control. 

CBTC gives operators precise control over the movement of their trains, allowing them to run on the line at higher frequencies and speeds, with or without drivers.  

Pascal Cléré, Alstom Transport’s senior vice president, said: "Being awarded a project of such magnitude showcases our customers’ trust in Alstom’s advanced technologies and solutions.  

"With their combined technical strengths, rich experiences and dedicated commitments, Thales and Alstom are fully confident they will provide MTR with the most secure, efficient and reliable signalling and infrastructure systems." 

MTR recently awarded a $760m contract to joint venture partnership between Hochtief subsidiary Leighton Asia and China State Construction Engineering to build an underground station and tunnel section for the extension of the Hong Kong metro to the New Territories. 

Photograph: The Hong Kong Metro (Alstom)