Alstom celebrates 50 years working with the Santiago Metro, from the first trains to the most modern ones
Alstom has been in Chile for nearly 80 years and has played a key role in the history of the metropolitan railway of the Chilean capital. It contributed from day one with rolling stock and will also provide the most modern ones for Line 7.
www.alstom.com
Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, is marking the 50th birthday of Santiago Metro. Alstom has been a part of the system since its inception, delivering the first trains that brought the system to life and today benefit 2.5 million passengers every day.
Over the years, Alstom has helped build trains and technology that power 75% of Metro’s rolling stock, including for Line 1, 2, 4, 4a and 5. Alstom proudly built the NS-16, the first and only trains assembled in Chile. In addition to rolling stock, Alstom has provided Metro with a global solution, supplying various signaling systems on lines 1, 2, 4, and 5, as well as maintenance services.
“Over the years, Alstom has demonstrated comprehensive expertise in rail transport and a deep commitment to Chile and its Chilean citizens. From day one, our goal has been to provide mobility solutions that improve the quality of life and safety of millions of passengers,” says Denis Girault, Managing Director of Alstom in Chile.
As it celebrates this milestone, Alstom is also looking towards the future. Our company is developing 37 automatic trains for the upcoming Line 7, a project that will benefit 1.6 million people. The trains, which are being manufactured in Taubaté (Brazil), will be the most technologically advanced in Santiago and country, and are expected to begin operation in 2028.
The company's connection with the Santiago Metro is reflected not only in its projects, but also in the people who have made them possible over these 50 years of working together. This includes Jean-Pierre Curial, one of the French pioneers who came to Chile to launch the NS74 trains. Curial recalls: "My contribution was to provide trains for passenger transport, and the better this is done, the greater the customer satisfaction. That has been a very important aspect of my work: seeing the customer satisfied, that's what matters. My legacy to my team is that you must be transparent and supportive. If you have a technical note to fix a fault, you shouldn't keep it in your pocket, but put it on a shared table so that everyone can access it. When someone asks you for advice, you must make sure that they have understood what you wanted to convey. It's about values and teamwork, which is very important."
Cristian Caimanque, an electronic civil engineer who joined Alstom in 2015 and is currently Interface Manager for Line 7, Alstom's latest project with Santiago Metro, says that “Alstom is a company that retains people who are passionate about what they do, and I really like that. It's a place where you can develop your skills and contribute to building something big, something important for the mobility”. Regarding Alstom's relationship with Metro, he says that "Metro is a demanding customer, and Alstom responds to those demands in a unique way, based on 50 years of relationship and deep customer knowledge. Based on my experience, it has been a symbiosis in which we have both provided feedback to each other and grown together."
With these shared stories, from the past and the future, Alstom reaffirms its commitment to the sustainable development of urban transport in Santiago, looking ahead to the next 50 years with the same dedication to innovation, operational excellence, and the satisfaction and safety of passengers.
Alstom Chile
Alstom has been present in Chile for more than 75 years, participating in the development of the country's infrastructure, contributing to social progress and respecting the environment. Its contribution as the main supplier of Santiago and Valparaíso subways is demonstrated by its complete range of innovative products and services. Economic development has increased the need for urban, intercity and freight rail transport infrastructure. Alstom has expertise in all three areas and is committed to contributing to improving quality of life and safety.
With more than 600 employees at 8 sites, Alstom is present in Chile with its subway trains, regional trains, signaling systems and infrastructure and maintenance services. The company is involved in the country's main railway projects, belonging to Metro de Santiago, Metro Valparaíso and Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado (EFE), including Alameda-Nos.
To this date, Alstom has supplied Metro de Santiago with the NS74, NS93, AS02, NS04 and NS16 fleets. These fleets will be joined by the new AS22 trains for Line 7.
www.alstom.com
