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Switzerland's Lausanne has awarded ALSTOM a $137.9 million contract to supply an automatic metro system.



Lausanne previously had selected ALSTOM as the system's preferred bidder for rolling stock (in 1999) and train control system technology (2000).



Similar to a system currently operating on Paris's Meteor line, the automatic rubber-tyred metro will link Ouchy in the south of Lausanne to the northern district of Epalinges. The 3.7-mile line is scheduled to be in revenue service by late 2007.



ALSTOM will supply the rolling stock, comprising 15 two-car trainsets; an advanced version of the Urbalis(TM) train control system, which will be fully automated, enabling trains to run without drivers; the power system; and the track system.



Approved by the Vaud Canton electorate in a Nov. 24, the Lausanne metro project marks ALSTOM's third foray into "the promising driverless metro market, after two lines in Singapore," said Michel Moreau, president of ALSTOM's Transport Sector in a prepared statement.