Alstom Secures Urbalis Fluence CBTC for Lausanne M2 Metro

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – Alstom and Transports publics de la région Lausannoise (TL) have signed a contract to modernize the M2 metro line. The project includes the deployment of a new Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system and a comprehensive mid-life overhaul of the existing train fleet to increase capacity and frequency for approximately 360,000 daily passengers on the TL network.

What Are the Technical Specifications?

The contract specifies the installation of Alstom’s Urbalis Fluence, a new-generation CBTC system with a “train-centric” architecture where more system intelligence is located onboard the vehicles. This approach is designed to reduce the need for extensive trackside infrastructure modifications. In parallel, the M2 fleet will undergo the FlexCare Modernise program, which includes upgrading the Train Control and Monitoring System (TCMS) for full integration with the new CBTC, as well as interior and exterior vehicle refurbishment.

Key Technical Data

Where Does This Technology Stand in the Market?

Alstom’s Urbalis Fluence competes directly with other major CBTC systems in the global market, each with different architectural philosophies. Siemens Mobility’s Trainguard MT, used extensively on lines like London’s Victoria and Jubilee lines, is a well-established system known for its moving-block technology that allows for high-frequency operation. Thales’s SelTrac system, one of the earliest and most widely deployed CBTC solutions on networks such as the London Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Vancouver’s SkyTrain, also offers high automation levels. The key differentiator Alstom promotes for Urbalis Fluence is its “train-centric” design, which aims to simplify trackside installation and maintenance compared to systems that rely more heavily on ground-based equipment.

Editor’s Analysis

This modernization of the M2 line is a direct implementation of Switzerland’s broader national and cantonal transport strategies. The project’s goal of increasing service frequency aligns with the federal government’s “Programme de développement stratégique de l’infrastructure ferroviaire” (PRODES), which aims for half-hourly or quarter-hourly services on most main lines by 2035. By upgrading its core metro artery, Lausanne is ensuring its urban transport network can support the increased passenger flow generated by the national rail expansion, demonstrating a clear link between federal strategy and local execution. (Source: PRODES, Swiss Federal Office of Transport).

FAQ

Q: Why is the M2 metro line being modernized?
A: The modernization is driven by growing passenger demand in the Lausanne region. The upgrades are crucial for increasing train frequency, reducing wait times, and boosting overall transport capacity on the network’s backbone.

Q: What is a “train-centric” CBTC system?
A: A train-centric system places a larger portion of the control and positioning “intelligence” on the train itself, rather than in trackside equipment. This can increase operational flexibility and potentially reduce the amount of physical infrastructure required along the line.

Q: Will the M2 line be closed during the upgrade work?
A: No, the operator TL and Alstom plan to phase the work to minimize service disruptions. Most installation and testing will occur during short nighttime work windows, allowing normal train service to be maintained during operating hours.