Alstom, a leading provider of sustainable and innovative transportation solutions, has secured a contract with S-Bahn Hamburg to upgrade 82 of its BR 490 S-Bahn trains. The trains will be fitted with the European Train Control System (ETCS) and modern ATO (Automated Train Operation) technology, enabling semi-automated operations with GoA2 (Grade of Automation 2). The value of the contract exceeds 60 million euros.
“This project marks a significant step towards digitalizing rail transport in Germany, and Alstom is proud to contribute with our technology, expertise, and experience,” said Tim Dawidowsky, President of Alstom’s Central and Northern Europe region.
Alstom will begin retrofitting four prototype trains with ETCS and ATO technology by 2029 at its Hennigsdorf facility. Once completed, these trains will be re-homologated. The contract also includes providing the necessary technical equipment to retrofit the remaining 78 trains, with Deutsche Bahn overseeing the serial retrofitting process.
These 82 vehicles are part of the first batch of BR 490 trains, ordered in 2013. Additionally, 64 trains from the second batch will come pre-equipped with ETCS and ATO from the factory. Ultimately, the entire BR 490 fleet used by Hamburg S-Bahn will be equipped for digital rail operations.
Tim Dawidowsky highlighted, “Combining digitalization with automation is crucial for improving green mobility. This allows for shorter intervals between trains, increases capacity, and reduces energy consumption, contributing to both climate protection and the shift towards more sustainable rail transport.”
Jan Schröder, Chairman of the Management Board of S-Bahn Hamburg, emphasized, “Digitalizing our fleet sets new benchmarks for the future of rail, improving capacity, quality, and operational efficiency. We are pleased to partner with Alstom for the final retrofit phase of our fleet, and we are grateful to the city of Hamburg and the Transport Authority for their support in this project.”
Alstom is a global leader in rail digitalization, with over 120 ETCS projects globally, 24,800 Onvia Cab onboard units installed in over 200 vehicle types, and more than 13,300 kilometers of equipped tracks. The Onvia Cab system is designed for both new trains and retrofitting existing ones, ensuring compatibility with the latest TSI 2023 standard at Baseline 3 level. In Germany, Alstom is also involved in equipping 215 S-Bahn trains and 118 regional trains with ETCS and ATO for the Digital Node Stuttgart project, a key initiative in the country’s rail digitalization efforts.
