Stadler Secures BLT 63 Trams 4G 5G CBTC Basel

BASEL, SWITZERLAND – Baselland Transport AG (BLT) has awarded Stadler a contract to install its Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system across its main tram network in the Basel metropolitan area. The project will equip a total of 63 trams (38 Tango and 25 TINA models) with the semi-automated technology. The first tests on Line 11 are planned for 2027, following a successful pilot on the Waldenburg line.

What Are the Technical Specifications?

The system to be deployed is a CBTC solution operating at Grade of Automation 2 (GoA2), also known as semi-automated operation. Under GoA2, onboard personnel authorise the train to depart, after which the system automatically controls acceleration, braking, speed, and precise stopping at stations. Communication between the 63 vehicles and trackside equipment will leverage public 4G and 5G mobile networks, avoiding the need for dedicated radio infrastructure.

Key Technical Data

Where Does This Technology Stand in the Market?

Stadler’s application of CBTC over public 5G for a tram network marks a strategic expansion from its successful pilot on the Waldenburg regional line. While major competitors offer mature CBTC products, their primary deployments have been in metro systems using dedicated radio networks. Siemens Mobility’s Trainguard MT system, for example, is used on metro lines in cities like London and Paris, while Alstom’s Urbalis 400 is deployed on over 100 metro lines globally, including in Singapore and Sydney (Source: Siemens Mobility, Alstom). The BLT project’s use of public mobile networks for primary train control on a complex urban tram network differentiates it from these traditional metro applications and highlights a move toward lower-cost, infrastructure-light signalling solutions.

Editor’s Analysis

This contract solidifies Stadler’s evolution from a rolling stock manufacturer to an integrated systems provider, directly competing with signalling incumbents in its home market. The decision to scale up from a single-line pilot to a full metropolitan network validates the reliability of using public 5G for safety-critical operations, a key industry objective. This approach aligns with the wider market trend of digital rail integration, which leverages existing telecom infrastructure to reduce capital expenditure, a trend supported by stabilising conditions in the wireless RAN market (Source: Dell’Oro Group, 2024).

FAQ

Q: What level of automation will the Basel trams have?
A: The trams will operate at Grade of Automation 2 (GoA2). This means a driver remains on board to supervise operations and authorise departure, but the system automatically controls the train’s speed and stopping.

Q: When will the new system be fully operational?
A: The rollout will be phased. The first tests involving the 63 retrofitted trams are scheduled for Line 11 in 2027, after which the system will be introduced across the entire BLT main network.

Q: How does this project impact Stadler’s business in Switzerland?
A: This project strengthens Stadler’s position as a key technology partner in the Swiss rail market, complementing recent rolling stock contracts like the CHF 30 million order from Gornergrat Bahn. It demonstrates their growing capability in the lucrative signalling and digitalisation sector.