London’s Elizabeth line enters passenger service utilising Alstom’s state-of-the-art Aventra fleet and critical infrastructure

Official opening of London’s transformational railway with trains, technology, infrastructure and maintenance supplied by Alstom.

London’s new Elizabeth line has officially opened to the public today. This project, valued at £19 billion, is not only a big milestone for the British railway industry but for all Londoners. Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has supplied trains, technology and infrastructure for this new line and will also maintain the trains. The transformational railway will reduce journey times, create additional transport capacity, improve accessibility and provide a huge economic boost to the capital and beyond. The Elizabeth line will be operated by MTR Elizabeth line as a concession of Transport for London.

Alstom’s Managing Director (UK & Ireland) Nick Crossfield, Chief Operating Officer Danny Di Perna and Managing Director Services Peter Broadley were present at the official opening event on May 17, 2022 along with Her Majesty The Queen, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Transport for London’s Commissioner Andy Byford, the Transport Secretary the Right Hon. Grant Shapps and Crossrail Chief Executive Mark Wild.

“The Elizabeth line is set to transform London and become one of the world’s leading urban transport operations. I’m immensely proud of the leading role Alstom has played in the Crossrail project, and will continue to do so delivering reliable, high-quality trains for Londoners.”
Nick Crossfield
Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Alstom

“The Elizabeth line is set to transform London and become one of the world’s leading urban transport operations. I’m immensely proud of the leading role Alstom has played in the Crossrail project, and will continue to do so delivering reliable, high-quality trains for Londoners,” states Nick Crossfield, Alstom Managing Director, UK & Ireland.

The new railway through central London uses Alstom’s Class 345 Aventra fleet between London Paddington and Abbey Wood station. The state-of-the-art trains, already in service between Paddington, Heathrow Airport and Reading on the west, and also run between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield on the east. The seventy 7- and 9-car trains have been designed and built at Alstom’s Derby factory and are maintained by Alstom at Old Oak Common depot in West London. Alstom will maintain the trains for the next 32 years as part of the rolling stock and services provision contract.

The Alstom-led ATC joint venture, formed with partners TSO and Costain, has designed, constructed, tested and commissioned critical infrastructure works for the new 55-kilometre line. ATC has delivered the traction power supply for the trains, incorporating Alstom’s in-house feeding systems, non-traction power supplies for the stations, shafts and portals, tunnel ventilation systems and other electrical and mechanical systems, laid the track (including 5500 HAS sleepers), and built a new maintenance depot at Plumstead. ATC has been the Principal Contractor for the entire railway construction, managing safety, logistics, testing and commissioning between more than twenty interfacing contractors.

Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “Alstom UK has been a key delivery partner in the Elizabeth line and played a major part making it possible to open this transformational railway today. Providing trains, technology, infrastructure and maintenance, they will help ensure Londoners and visitors benefit from reliable and more accessible journeys across the capital.”

Building on Alstom’s expertise in the UK rail sector over the last 20 years, the Aventra solution has been developed to meet both urban and mainline rail requirements. Thanks to its modular vehicle design, the Aventra trains offer high configuration flexibility to maximise capacity and accommodate different operational needs such as high-capacity metro, commuter, regional and intercity services. Train customisations include various car lengths with one to three doors per car side, three different front ends and different seating arrangements and comfort levels. The Aventra solution features digital capabilities such as full colour displays for modern passenger information delivery, fast 4G WiFi and smartphone integration, improving passenger comfort and convenience. More than 2,600 Aventra cars have been sold in the UK since 2014, making it the UK’s leading train.

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