Docklands Light Rail Extension to London City Airport opens with Alcatel’s Communications-Based Train Control system

Paris, January 4, 2005 - Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced that the 4.4 km Docklands Light Railway (DLR) extension to London City Airport, equipped with SelTrac® automated train control technology, is operational. The extension has been officially inaugurated on December 2nd.

The double-track London City Airport extension offers 4 stations, with provision for 2 future stations, and trains leaving every 7-10 minutes. The new over-ground service offers the quickest direct airport transfers to and from central London.

The DLR has used Alcatel’s driver-less system operating safely since 1995 when Alcatel’s SelTrac Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system was first applied. This technology has facilitated Alcatel meeting an accelerated application schedule for the London City Airport line extension, as no major additional signaling equipment was required to extend the network.

“We managed to maintain the two-minute headway capability currently on the existing system, and introduced a second diamond crossing on the DLR network. We are quite proud of meeting our contract obligations ahead of schedule, and making yet another significant contribution to DLR’s operational growth strategy” said Olivier Perraud, Senior VP and General Manager of Alcatel’s transport automation activities in Canada.

The SelTrac S40 CBTC solution is the same as the one being implemented on London Underground’s Jubilee and Northern Lines by Tube Lines.

This successful project further reinforces Alcatel’s position in the UK urban rail market.
About Docklands Light Railway
Docklands Light Railway (London) carries more than 51 million passengers a year, a figure forecast to increase to 80 million by 2009. Since the railway opened in 1987, it has been extended on three other occasions: to Bank in 1991, Beckton and the Northern Royal Docks in 1994, and Greenwich and Lewisham in 1999. DLR services are operated by the award-winning franchisee, Serco Docklands Ltd.

About Alcatel’s Railway Solutions
To meet the challenge of increased mobility, Alcatel offers a host of advanced railway solutions that ensure safe, reliable and comfortable transportation of passengers and freight through the network. Drawing on wide international experience in all aspects of transport automation and network integration and services, Alcatel is a leading worldwide supplier for signaling - train control, train routing, control centers - and integrated communications solutions to carry and distribute voice, data and video to and from all sites of urban and main line rail. Whether enhancing, renewing or building new lines, Alcatel is an ideal partner to address the operational needs of main line and urban rail operators.

About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.

Contact Information

Aurélie Boutin-Guezennec

Alcatel

Contact via E-mail