Alstom has signed a contract worth nearly 50 million euros to provide traction systems and the train control and monitoring system (TCMS) for 318 metro cars that will run on Nanjing Metro’Line 7.

This is the first driverless metro line in the Chinese city; it is 35km long and has 27 stations.

Alstom (www.alstom.com) will provide its Optonix traction system, which was developed specifically for the Chinese market.

One of its Chinese joint ventures — Shanghai Alstom Transport Electrical Equipment Co Ltd — will manufacture the traction systems, with support from Alstom sites in Belgium, France and India.

Another joint venture — Xi’an Alstom Yongji Electric Equipment Co Ltd — will supply the traction motors.

Olivier Loison, managing director of Alstom in China and East Asia, said: “This contract confirms Alstom’s leading role in driverless metros in China.

This role stems from the performance of 28 driverless metro projects around the world, including seven in China.

"Compared to other metro lines, those with unattended train operations can reduce the required manpower by 30-70%, achieve higher frequency, increase the space available for passengers, and improve reliability by over 50%.”

Alstom has been present in Nanjing for 20 years as a major supplier of metros, traction systems, signalling systems and services.

It has supplied: 456 metro cars for Line 1, Line 2 and their respective extensions; traction systems for the 534 metro cars of Line 4, 10, S1 and S3; signalling systems for Ningtian Intercity Line; and traction overhaul services for Lines 1 and 2.