Taiwan: Alstom to Deliver Driverless Signalling System for Taichung Blue Line

Alstom has secured a 159 million USD contract to deliver a driverless communications-based train control (CBTC) signalling system for the Taichung Metro’s Blue Line.

The project, commissioned by the Rapid Transit System Bureau of the Taichung City Government, is being delivered by an international consortium that includes Singapore Technologies Engineering (STE), CTCI, and Hyundai Rotem Company.

With over 40 years of active presence in Taiwan, Alstom has delivered signalling systems to the Taipei Metro line and continues to play a leading role in contributing to Taiwan’s future of public transport

The Blue Line will be Taichung’s second fully operational metro line and will stretch 24.8 kilometres, connecting 20 stations from Taichung Port in the west to Taiwan Railway’s Taichung Station in the east. The route will intersect with the existing Green Line and link with the proposed Orange Line, providing broader coverage for passengers across the growing metropolitan area.

As the signalling technology partner, Alstom will provide its Urbalis CBTC solution. The system is designed to support driverless operations, with capacity for high-frequency train movement and shorter headways, potentially as low as 90 seconds. This is expected to enhance reliability and accommodate higher passenger volumes, particularly during peak travel periods.

The Urbalis platform is already in use on Taichung’s Green Line, which entered service in 2021. Alstom’s involvement in the Blue Line follows previous deployments of signalling systems across Taiwan, including projects in Taipei. The company has also supplied rolling stock and technology for other urban transit developments, such as the Taipei Wanda and Circular Lines.

Toby Tiberghien, Managing Director of Alstom, East Asia, said:
Following the success of the Green Line, which began revenue service in 2021, we are honoured to continue our journey in Taichung with the new Blue Line. Our Urbalis solution will deliver an efficient and reliable driverless signalling system through a high-quality solution and service excellence, supporting our commitment to build a better connected future for the city.

Last week, ST Engineering also announced its contract award to deliver turnkey rail services for the new Taichung MRT Blue Line.