Thales to Provide Digital Communications and Technological Supervision to Metro Manila’s First Underground Subway

March 2022

The Metro Manila Subway is one of the Philippines’ largest infrastructure projects aimed at creating an efficient rail system in the world’s most densely populated city. As part of this push for development, construction has begun on a third Mass Rapid Transit line and the metropolis’ first underground subway line to connect its northern and southern cities.

Thales, together with their partners Colas Rail and Egis, has been awarded a contract worth more than EUR 1 billion (USD 1.1 billion). In the frame of this contract, Thales will provide its Integrated Communications and Supervision (ICS) and Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) systems to the project, at a value of EUR 156 million (USD 172 million). Set to connect Valenzuela in the north, to the southern city of Parañaque, the 35-kilometer line will consist of 15 underground stations that will reduce traffic congestion and promote more efficient commuter journeys. The Philippines’ Department of Transportation (DOTr) estimates that the future subway line will reduce travel time from Quezon City to Taguig by two-thirds, from close to two hours today to 35 minutes.

This contract represents Thales’  entry into the transportation sector in the Philippines. This is also the first in the Asian region where the latest generation of its Integrated Communications and Supervision solution will be implemented, supported by global expertise from Thales teams in Singapore, Hong Kong, Portugal and France.

Thales will design and develop the integrated and secure communications networks (incl. radio, Multi Service Network, wayside telephone and wireless LAN systems), wayside equipment for security systems (including CCTV and Video Analytics features), passenger information and public address, the digital supervision solution as well as the centralized supervision of energy system (power-SCADA). This ICS solution is compliant with the highest cybersecurity standards and will offer DOTr the latest digital technologies for an intelligent, sustainable and scalable system that is designed to last. Thales will also provide Automatic Fare Collection as part of its scope in the project.

Thales has built extensive experience in major metro projects in the region over the last decade, with strong local expertise from teams situated all across Asia, collaborating with Thales teams in Europe and North America.

(Source: Thales)

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