Alstom wins Quito Metro Line 1 signalling maintenance contract

Alstom has secured a Quito Metro Line 1 signalling maintenance contract in Ecuador to provide preventive and corrective maintenance, obsolescence management and potential upgrades, according to Alstom.

The company said the agreement is worth $27 million (around €23 million), will run for 48 months, and work will start in March 2026 (Railway Supply).

What the Alstom Quito Metro maintenance contract covers?

The contract centres on preventive and corrective maintenance signalling system activities for Line 1, alongside obsolescence management and potential upgrades. Alstom will carry out frequent inspections and continuous monitoring, and it will also provide rapid corrective interventions to avoid service interruptions.

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At the same time, the company will work to ensure high availability of control systems. The scope also includes actions aimed at improving operational reliability and passenger experience (Metro de Quito).

CITYFLO 350 signalling system on Quito Metro Line 1

Alstom previously designed and implemented the CITYFLO 350 signalling system for Quito’s Line 1. The company describes the signalling system as the “nervous system” of the line, with maintenance essential for running a high-frequency transit system at the expected levels of safety and reliability.

“When signalling works properly, the trains run safely and on time, just like when your brain is working well, you walk down the street safely, without even thinking about it.”

Bernard Peille  Alstom’s Vice President for Latin America

Bernard Peille, Alstom’s Vice President for Latin America, said the agreement strengthens the company’s progress in Ecuador and reflects its commitment to delivering a service that passengers do not need to think about. In addition, he pointed to the Quito Metro as a project that demonstrates Ecuador’s strategic importance for Alstom and supports solutions linked to urban development and quality of life.

Alstom Ecuador work and regional signalling experience

Line 1 is described as an important new spine of mobility for Quito, connecting neighbourhoods, reducing travel times and contributing to more sustainable urban transport. The project will involve Ecuadorian technical teams, supporting qualified jobs, knowledge transfer, professional training and the development of local talent.

Also, Alstom said it applies the same designed performance, safety and regularity standard across several Latin American markets. The company said it has extensive experience in maintenance, modernization and operation of signalling systems, including Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Panama, and that it holds the region’s largest installed signalling base, with more than 6,000 km of signalled lines and over 2,000 onboard systems in operation.

In Ecuador, Alstom said it has a solid presence in sustainable mobility. On Line 1 of the Quito Metro, the company implemented the CITYFLO 350 signalling system and will now also undertake preventive and corrective maintenance of the infrastructure.

Separately, Alstom highlighted its role in the Cuenca Tramway, where it supplied Citadis trams as well as electrification systems for the project, which serves around 25,000 passengers per day.

CITYFLO™ and CITADIS™ are registered trademarks of Alstom Group

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