SNCF and Hitachi Rail signed a new framework agreement worth EUR 77 million to provide on-board digital signalling equipment (bi-standard ERTMS/TVM) for the latest generation of TGV (TGV-M) and existing TGV trains that operate across the French and European high-speed rail networks.
The framework contract includes orders for a minimum amount of EUR 25 million, which can be extended to EUR 77 million over the next five years.
The bi-standard ERTMS/TVM equipment includes a more powerful computer, with greater processing capacity allowing it to handle future evolutions in signalling technology, including those resulting from future European standardisation. It also combines the French legacy ATP Transmission Voice-Machine (TVM) and ERTMS technologies to enable SNCF’s high-speed trains to run safely on the French and cross-border high-speed networks.
The new equipment will allow train services to offer greater reliability and availability of trains for passengers and allow Europe to be better connected by sustainable transport.
The on-board digital signalling equipment will be manufactured at Hitachi Rail’s factory in Riom in central France.
“This new framework agreement marks a new step in Hitachi Rail’s collaboration with SNCF to upgrade the national high-speed rail network. It follows the recent contract signed in November 2022 for the fitment of E300 Eurostar trains and will see passengers benefit from cutting-edge digital technology through increased reliability and capacity of the service,” Gilles Pascault – President of Hitachi Rail in France, said.
Last year, Hitachi Rail won two contracts to provide digital on-board signalling tchnology for trains operated by SNCF and Eurostar. The contracts cover the installation of a new version Bi-Standard in-cab signalling solution for 8 trains operated by Eurostar and for SNCF’s high-speed trains running in Italy and Switzerland.
The in-cab signalling equipment can also be used purely with ERTMS, with any type of trains and operations, internationally.
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