Alstom Unveils Driverless Trains for Santiago’s $2.5B Metro

Alstom launches automated trains for Santiago Metro’s $2.5B Line 7, boosting safety and efficiency with driverless technology. This project sets a new standard for urban mobility.

January 23, 2026 1:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Alstom has unveiled the first of 37 automated trains for Santiago Metro’s new $2.5 billion Line 7 project.
The 26 km line will be fully automated using Urbalis CBTC signaling, enabling driverless operation and serving 1.6 million residents.
The project highlights a regional push towards high-capacity, automated metro systems to enhance safety and efficiency, contrasting with recent safety failures on mainline networks in Europe.

TAUBATÉ, BRAZIL – Alstom and Metro de Santiago have presented the first Metropolis AS-22-UTO train for Santiago’s future Line 7, a core component of the city’s $2.5 billion transport expansion. The rollout of the fully automated, driverless fleet from Alstom’s Brazil factory occurs as the global rail industry focuses intensely on operational safety, following a series of fatal train accidents in Spain that have highlighted vulnerabilities in non-automated systems.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project / Model	Santiago Metro Line 7 / Alstom Metropolis AS-22-UTO
Total Project Investment	USD 2.5 billion
Key Stakeholders	Metro de Santiago (Operator), Alstom (Supplier)
Fleet & Technology	37 trains (5-car), Urbalis CBTC signaling (UTO Grade of Automation 4)
Line Length / Stations	26 kilometers / 19 stations
Project Timeline	First train delivery H2 2026; Line operational by 2028

Operational & Technical Details

The new fleet for Line 7 consists of 37 five-car trains. Each 102-meter trainset has a capacity of 1,247 passengers. The car bodies are constructed from stainless steel to improve durability and lower energy consumption. Onboard systems include air conditioning, passenger information displays, and USB-C charging ports.

The core of the line’s operation is Alstom’s Urbalis CBTC signaling system. This technology enables fully driverless operation (GoA4), which increases service frequency and system capacity. Safety features are integrated directly with the control center, supported by high-resolution cameras and passenger intercoms. Each train also includes two dedicated spaces for passengers with reduced mobility.

Market Impact Analysis

The $2.5B Line 7 project is a strategic investment solidifying Santiago’s position as a regional leader in urban mobility. Upon completion, the line will connect three new municipalities to the metro network and cut end-to-end travel time from 72 to 37 minutes. By 2033, planned extensions will make Santiago’s network the largest in Latin America at 231.5 km.

For Alstom, this contract reinforces its foothold in the Latin American market for high-technology rail systems. The emphasis on CBTC-driven automation serves as a powerful case study for cities seeking to mitigate operational risks and improve efficiency, a critical selling point as operators globally reassess safety protocols. The project is projected to create 24,000 jobs through its 2028 opening and reduce annual CO₂ emissions by approximately 33,000 tons.

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