Alcatel makes tracks

Alcatel has announced it has been awarded a €25 million communications-based train control (CBTC) contract by SNC Lavalin in Vancouver, Canada. The CBTC system is part of Vancouver's newest rapid transit line.

The CBTC system will provide automatic train control functions for the almost 19 km line that is scheduled to begin operation in late 2009. The "Canada Line" will run between Richmond, the airport and Vancouver and will connect with existing transit systems in the region.

InTransitBC, an SNC-Lavalin-led consortium, has been selected to design, build, operate and maintain the line for 35 years.

"Alcatel's CBTC solution is a proven driverless system that has been demonstrated to be both reliable and safe on the Vancouver SkyTrain system and on other systems around the world," commented SNC Lavalin's James Burke, Senior Vice President and General Manager Transportation Division.