Line B of the Rennes metro is now been commissioned and operating in revenue service. The impressive and vast project sees Siemens Mobility demonstrate its groundbreaking expertise in providing fully automated turnkey metro systems.

The new line crosses the Rennes metropolitan area and features 15 stations across its 13 km length. Line B comes 20 years after the first metro Line A opened using Siemens Mobility’s VAL technology and has seen Rennes Metropole and SEMTCAR continue their working relationship with Siemens Mobility in equipping the second metro line using the latest generation of the automated metro system – Cityval.

Laurent Bouyer, President of Siemens Mobility France said:  “Siemens Mobility France had already equipped the first metro line of the city of Rennes with its VAL system. Today, together with Rennes Métropole, we are proud to inaugurate the new Line B equipped with the latest generation of Cityval automated driverless metro, which will strengthen the city’s ability to offer low-carbon emission mobility,”  “Designed at our world centre of expertise in Toulouse, the Cityval deployed in Rennes showcases the quality of our products and the skills of our teams worldwide.”

The turnkey contract has seen Siemens Mobility put in place the entire system engineering as well as delivering and implementing the Cityval rolling stock which is made up of 25 train sets which initially consist of two cars, the automated train control system, track system, electrification, platform door, the operating control centre or OCC. garage workshop facilities alongside the radio communication and real-time video transmission at stations and also on board trains.

Siemens Mobility will also put in place services for operations as well as the maintenance of the system which includes training personnel, instructions, spare parts and documentation.

Following 40 years of progress, Siemens Mobility’s VAL flagship product is evolving with the Cityval as its fully automated intermediate capacity transport system is perfect for cities of medium size that wish to offer environmentally friendly transport.

The Cityval system brings the following benefits:

• Performance: 60-second minimum intervals between trains with the ability for high acceleration.
• Scalability: A third car can be added during operation which supports increased capacity of the transport system without the need for adding further infrastructure.
• Passenger experience: Wide doors allow improved access to platforms, the configuration allows more efficient passenger movement onboard, large floor-to-ceiling windows provide more light, video surveillance and real-time passenger information.
• Easy urban integration: Steep slopes can be managed (up to 10%) as well as tight curves.
• Cost optimization: Innovations in the concrete slab, guiding rail and switches provide better cost optimization through the project’s life cycle including infrastructure and maintenance costs.
• Sustainability: Energy consumption is reduced due to the management of the movement of automated trains enabled by the CBTC automatic system. 100% Electric braking systems also allow energy savings of up to 15% with almost no particle emissions.