The fleet of 255 NG trains, which will be built by Alstom and Bombardier under a €3.75bn framework contract awarded by French National Railways (SNCF) in January 2017, is destined for RER lines D and E. The first firm part of the order is worth an estimated €1.55bn (70% Alstom - 30% Bombardier) and comprises 56 112m-long and 15 130m-long trains which will enter service from 2021 onwards. The longest version will be able to transport up to 1860 passengers.
The air-conditioned trains will have single-deck end cars and double-deck intermediate cars, with wide inter-car gangways, 2m-wide doors and large vestibules to speed boarding and alighting at stations. The lower decks will have two-plus-two seating to provide space for standing passengers, while the upper decks will have three-plus-two seating and large windows to maximise natural light.
The trains will be fitted with information screens along with multiple USB ports, and an enhanced CCTV system to improve passenger security.
An informal working group was set up in April 2017 between Ile-de-France Mobility, SNCF, Alstom and Bombardier to finalise the design using the latest technology such as virtual reality and 3D printing. This enabled the design to be completed in 18 months.
A test train will be completed next year followed by the start of series-production later in 2019. Certification of the first series-production train is expected in 2020, with delivery of the first trains in 2021.
View of the lower deck of the RER NG trains.
