Alstom, Bombardier unveil Montreal metro cars

The consortium composed of Bombardier Transportation and Alstom Transport, together with the Societe de transport de Montreal (STM), unveiled Montreal's new metro cars Monday, Nov. 25, 2013.

A nine-car train was presented to the government of Quebec, the city of Montreal, and other high-profile guests Bombardier’s plant in La Pocatiere, Quebec. The Alstom-Bombardier consortium is completing trials on the prototype train at the plant and expects to ship the cars to Montreal in early 2014, where it will begin qualification testing, with the STM, at metro facilities.

On behalf of the Bombardier-Alstom consortium, Raymond Bachant, president, Bombardier Transportation North America, emphasized the caliber of the partnership. “Bombardier and Alstom would like to salute the professionalism, expertise and excellent collaboration provided by our partner, the Societe de transport de Montreal,” Bachant said. “These advanced new metro cars will provide STM passengers with the reliable, comfortable and rapid service that a major city like Montreal deserves.”

“The metro is vital to Montreal’s development. The new cars will soon be an added asset for the city, even as we await the system’s extension eastward,” stated Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.

According to STM Chairman Michel Labrecque, “This has to be one of the most beautiful trains in the world. We’re anxious to get it to Montreal, so we can start the testing process, which will take place over a period of approximately eight months. These cars will certainly be in service for 50 years.”

STM has ordered 468 of the new-generation cars, with deliveries expected to continue until 2018. They include: panoramic windows and indirect lighting, for greater visual comfort; communicating passageways throughout the nine-car train; doors that are 27% larger, to ensure passenger flow; optimized air suspension to deliver a more cushioned ride; 8% more passenger capacity; and state-of-the-art information and safety systems;

The consortium notes more than 150 Canadian suppliers, some of whom are long-standing Quebec companies, are participating in the project, whose Canadian content exceeds 60%.