Alstom and 2.8 billion euro contract for Hamburger Hochbahn

Alstom has signed a framework agreement with Hamburger Hochbahn AG valued at up to €2.8 billion for the delivery of up to 374 new metro trains designed for fully and semi-automated operation. This contract also includes equipping the new 25 km U5 metro line in Hamburg with the innovative train-centric CBTC system Urbalis. The first order under this agreement includes 48 metro trains and the CBTC equipment for the initial segment of the U5 line, covering five of the planned 23 new metro stations. This initial call-off has a value of approximately €670 million.

The agreement outlines the provision of 254 semi-automated and 120 fully automated (GoA4) metro trains, each consisting of four cars. These new trains boast high capacity, passenger safety, and comfort, featuring modern interior design, digital passenger guidance, and USB charging connections. The fully automated trains will be deployed on the U5 line, currently under construction, while the semi-automated trains will gradually replace the existing DT4 vehicles and operate semi-automatically on parts of the current network. The U5 line will utilize the Urbalis signalling solution, enabling driverless operation, which is expected to enhance punctuality, frequency, and energy efficiency, allowing trains to run at 90-second intervals and transport approximately 270,000 passengers daily.

The production of the new DT6 metros is set to begin at Alstom's Salzgitter, Germany site in 2026, with the first vehicles expected to be delivered by early 2028. Passenger operations on the initial section of the U5 line are slated to start in 2029. The digital rail segment, including signalling, will be executed from Alstom's Berlin site. Müslüm Yakisan, President of Alstom’s DACH region, hailed the contract as a milestone, highlighting that Hamburg’s metro trains are exclusively from Alstom and emphasizing the long-standing collaboration with Hamburger Hochbahn.

Robert Henrich, CEO of Hamburger Hochbahn AG, noted that the new DT6 trains would modernize the fleet and facilitate fully automated operation on the U5, providing a new customer experience with advanced interior design and information systems. Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition, emphasized the significant investment in Hamburg's rail network expansion and transport systems, highlighting the comfort, space, service, and safety enhancements these new trains will bring. The contract will allow for a 50 percent increase in the number of subway trains in Hamburg by 2050, with the integration of advanced signalling technology on the U5 leading to more punctual and faster services, marking a substantial advancement in sustainable transportation.