SBB CFF FFS has signed a contract with Alstom Services Switzerland to modernise the ETCS equipment on up to 263 “Wave 1” long-distance trains.
The upgrade will reduce maintenance requirements and prepare the fleet for the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS). It will also ensure compatibility across the Swiss standard gauge network using a single onboard ETCS system.
The trains concerned form part of SBB’s long-distance fleet and are expected to remain in service into the 2040s following the works. The scope focuses on replacing and updating onboard signalling components rather than structural modifications.
Alstom has been involved with the fleet since its original manufacture and has supported previous upgrades. The contract was awarded directly, reflecting the long-term cooperation between the operator and the manufacturer in fleet maintenance and modernisation.
