Muni buys Alcatel signal system - San Francisco Municipal Railway pays $52.7 million to Alcatel Canada Inc. for light rail signal system - Brief Article

Railway Age, Sept, 1992

The San Francisco Municipal Railway last month awarded a $52.7 million contract to Alcatel Canada Inc. for a SELTRAC signal system that will control light rail trains automatically while they are operating in the 5.5-mile, nine-station Muni Metro subway. According to Alcatel, the processor-controlled system will allow Muni to at least double the number of trains operating in the tunnel. It will also reduce turnaround time at Embarcadero Station.

The contract was unanimously approved by the Public Utilities Commission and the Board of Supervisors. The ceremonial signing took place at City Hall on Aug. 10.

Dr. Uli Dobler, representing Alcatel, said the company will open an office in San Francisco to assist Muni in the transition and implementation phases and to provide ongoing support.

Alcatel's SEL Division developed the moving-block system, which has also been installed in Detroit, Toronto, Vancouver, and London, England.