Thales to modernize the Portugal Railways with new and state-of-the-art Electronic Signalling Systems

• Infraestruturas de Portugal warded Thales, with three new contracts for the modernization of signalling systems in Cascais Line, West Line and Santa Apolónia Station in Lisbon region.
• These contracts will contribute to the customer's ambition, by optimising the capacity and safety in these sections and maximising the insfrastructure availability, through the introduction of new technologies and the integration within the Lisbon Operation Control Centre (design and built by Thales).

Infraestruturas de Portugal is taking another important step in the continuous modernization of the Portuguese railways by awarding to Thales with three new contracts for the modernization of the Signalling systems in Cascais Line, West Line (between Meleças and Caldas da Rainha stations) and Santa Apolónia Station in Lisbon region.

Cascais is one of the most important commuter lines in Lisbon Metropolitan Area, playing an important role on passengers' mobility, serving a dense urban area and an extremely important touristic zone. On the other hand, Santa Apolónia is one of the main intercity terminus stations in Lisbon and one of the most iconic and relevant spots of Portuguese railways.

The scope of these contracts includes the supply of the new electronic interlocking PIPC G3 (Generation 3), ETCS L2 in Cascais line, new train detection system (track circuits), point machines, level crossings and power supply system, in line with the solutions already deployed in the Portuguese network by Thales.
Thales will be responsible for the design, validation, supply, installation, test & commissioning, safety, civil works and 10 years of maintenance.

Thales is very pleased to further support Infraestruturas de Portugal by contributing towards its ambition to facilitate the connection of people and goods, to deliver safe, comfortable seamless travel.

Thales, a proven expertise

During the last decades, Thales has been a key player in the Portuguese Railways Infrastructure Modernization program, starting by Infraestruturas de Portugal (at that time named CP and then REFER) early 90's, with the introduction of new Electronic Interlocking systems and state-of-the-art Telecommunications and Passenger Information and Comfort systems.

Additionally, Thales was also responsible for the design and implementation of the new Lisbon Operational Control Centre, covering today 90% of Portuguese rail traffic and played a significant role in pioneering in Portugal by the introdution of ETCS L2, in Beira Alta Line and in the International South Corridor (Évora-Elvas-Caia), defining plus a new important step within the history of the national railway.

With its long-time expertise, diverse skilled employees, Thales has been able to establish itself as the leading supplier of modern signalling and telecommunications technology in the Portuguese railway network.