Delivering mobility in the digital age
Alstom is a truly global leader in the transportation sector, in the digital age. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling, and digital mobility, and with 80,000 employees from 175 nationalities in 63 countries, Alstom is the largest mobility provider outside China.
But it is here in Ireland, where the Government is setting the global pace with the hugely impressive Climate Action Plan, that Alstom is able to demonstrate its role as pioneer of sustainable and smart mobility with a full portfolio of green mobility solutions. Alstom’s clear ambition is to help Ireland deliver the Climate Action Plan in Dublin, Cork, and across the country.
Alstom has a well-established, highly successful presence in Ireland and is its largest single mobility supplier. First delivered in 2003, Alstom’s market leading Citadis™ trams have been operating successfully across both Red and Green lines of the famous Luas network, bringing sustainable mobility and passenger comfort to the streets of Dublin. More than 2,600 Citadis tramsets have been sold to over 50 cities in five continents, but it is in Ireland that the longest Citadis vehicles are in operation – 55m long. As part of a partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the National Transport Authority (NTA) eight new 55m tram units were delivered in 2020 and a further 26 existing tram units have been extended to the same length. The trams are all manufactured in La Rochelle and assembled in Transdev’s Sandyford depot.
But it was in 2021 that a landmark was reached in Alstom’s partnership with Ireland. Alstom signed a 10-year framework agreement with Iarnród Éireann for up to 750 new electric and battery-electric’ X’trapolis™ commuter rail cars for Ireland’s DART network, with firm orders for 37 five-car X’trapolis trains including a 15-year support services contract. The most sustainable fleet ever ordered in Ireland, 31 of the ordered trains are battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) while six are electric multiple units (EMUs). The new trains will deliver more capacity to greater Dublin.
Commenting at the signing ceremony at Irish Rail’s Inchicore works in Dublin, Alstom Managing Director, UK and Ireland, Nick Crossfield said: “Alstom is delighted to have been selected to deliver the new DART+ fleet. Ireland is a very important market to us, and the new electric and battery electric X’trapolis fleet is a big step for making rail even more sustainable while transforming the passenger experience in the greater Dublin area and beyond. This order reinforces Alstom’s position as the world’s leading innovator and supplier of green mobility technologies.”
“Alstom is delighted to have been selected to deliver the new DART+ fleet. Ireland is a very important market to us, and the new electric and battery electric X’trapolis fleet is a big step for making rail even more sustainable while transforming the passenger experience in the greater Dublin area and beyond.”
In March 2023, Alstom and Iarnród Éireann were able to show the Irish public their new DART+ train in the flesh by unveiling a 1:1 scale mock-up carriage in the presence of Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD. The trains clearly demonstrate Iarnród Éireann’s intention to move quickly to decarbonise the commuter network in greater Dublin, Ireland’s most populous suburban area. The mock-up carriage gave the assembled audience a firm indication of what greater Dublin’s new DART+ trains would deliver for its passengers.
Ireland is once again showing the way by using battery technology on the DART network. Battery technology is particularly well suited to fill gaps on routes that are electrified with overhead catenary, or to allow for the introduction of new fleets while electrification is extended, exactly as is the case with DART.
The race to decarbonise transport involves the younger generation too. A new Children’s Interpretative Centre giving visitors a chance to see what it is like to drive a life-sized Iarnród Éireann train was launched on 9 May, 2023, at the Casino Model Railway Museum in Malahide, a collaboration between Fingal County Council, Iarnród Éireann, and Alstom. At the event, Managing Director of Alstom Ireland, Piers Wood commented: “Alstom is committed to supporting Ireland’s determined journey towards achieving net zero emissions. Helping children develop their knowledge of the railway and its benefits to the environment, is an important part of that journey. We are pleased to be supporting Fingal County Council and Iarnród Éireann with this impressive educational exhibit.”
What of the future? Front and centre is tackling the climate emergency where rail has a key role to play. For example, Dublin requires its bus and commuter rail fleet to be 100 per cent electric and zero-emission by 2035. In Ireland the transport sector must meet its sectoral emissions ceiling and contribute to the delivery of a 51 per cent cut in economy-wide emissions by 2030.
To help meet this challenge, Alstom has delivered electric trams to the Dublin Luas, is delivering EMUs and BEMUs for DART+ and in future hopes to provide trains to Ireland powered by hydrogen too. On longer, and less intensely trafficked routes, hydrogen fuel cells provide a viable, zero emission, and cost-effective alternative to the capital costs of electrification.
In 2016, Alstom was the first company worldwide to introduce a new train based on hydrogen fuel cells and the train, Coradia iLint, is now in regular passenger service. Alstom has the ambitious goal of using this technology to replace a large part of the current market for diesel trains in Europe. Alstom’s ability to offer electric, battery, and hydrogen capability means they are uniquely placed to play their part.
But sustainable mobility only works when it delivers for its users. Passengers rightly expect reliability, speed, and comfort. Partnering with our friends at Iarnród Éireann, NTA, and TII it is our job to deliver just that.
Kathryn Lancaster
T: +44 7801 798936
W: www.alstom.com
