Bombardier and Thales Win Latest Rail Control Contract for the Mediterranean Corridor in Spain

A Bombardier and Thales consortium has won a contract to deliver the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 for the 210 km Valencia to Vandellos section of the Mediterranean Corridor. The new order, awarded by Spain's Administrator of Railway Infrastructure for high-speed, ADIF Alta Velocidad, has a total value of approximately 29.6 million euro ($31.4 million US) with Bombardier's share valued at approximately 11.5 million euro ($12.3 million US).

The corridor upgrade project includes multiple components. The globally proven Bombardier Interflo 250 ERTMS Level 1 solution has been chosen for the 60 km Valencia Nord to Burriana section. Thales will install its European Rail Traffic management System (ERTMS) Level 1 solution AlTrac on the 150 km Villareal to Vandellos section of the line, and its ERTMS Central Post solution on the whole section. Both solutions equally meet the requirements for technical interoperability needed for operation on the trans-European rail network, which includes the Mediterranean Corridor. Also, the project includes the adaptation of signalling installations (electronic interlockings) for integration with the new ERTMS and laying cables for new ERTMS equipment to interface with Adif's communication network.

Jesus Sanchez Bargos, country director for Thales in Spain, said, "This award will not only allow us to once again deploy our proven and tested ERTMS; jointly with Bombardier we will carry out a project in which we are fully familiar with the customer's needs. We have demonstrated our ability to meet the targets on time and in form and, above all, our competence in transforming our technological advances into practical and tangible applications for people."

Peter Cedervall, president of Division Rail Control Solutions, Bombardier Transportation, said, "As a third contract for Bombardier on the Mediterranean Corridor, this new order consolidates Bombardier's presence in the Spanish market. This award reflects the trust the customer places in our technology, project delivery, and experience in the Spanish market, bringing the latest technology for the rail industry."

Thales and Bombardier's contribution to the overall project on the Mediterranean Corridor will advance the modernisation of the line's different high-speed, conventional, and freight railway applications as well as other lines running parallel to the coast. This will improve existing infrastructures and support Spain's economic development. The importance of the Mediterranean arc in economic development is crucial given that 50 percent of Spain's industrial production, 60 percent of exports to Europe and 65% of port throughput is concentrated in the coastal strip between Catalonia and Algeciras.