Aug. 22, 2025
By Nick Behan
From depots to data and predictive maintenance to hydrogen-powered retrofits, Matt has witnessed a dramatic shift in how the rail industry operates. Now President of Alstom’s Services Product Line business, Matt brings a hands-on perspective shaped by three decades of experience across engineering, operations, and strategy.
In this conversation, he reflects on the power of AI and digital transformation to drive reliability, cost-efficiency and safety; the business opportunities embedded in sustainability; and how rail can move from reactive to predictive through integrated systems thinking.
With a pragmatic yet ambitious view of what’s ahead, Matt’s insights show how Alstom is positioning itself to lead the zero-emissions, AI-powered future of transport.
Reflecting on your time in transportation, what’s been the most transformative change you’ve witnessed, and how has it shaped the way the sector operates today?
Since I started my career in the rail industry in 1995, the most transformative shift has been the digitalisation of rail and the widespread adoption of data-driven decision-making. Today, digital technologies like IoT, AI, and big data have reshaped the entire lifecycle of rail operations.
Predictive maintenance, enabled by tools like Alstom’s HealthHub, allows us to anticipate issues before they arise, reducing downtime and improving safety. Smart operations optimise traffic flow and energy consumption, while passenger systems enhance customer experience through real-time updates and seamless travel information. We’ve moved from reactive, manual processes to integrated, intelligent systems that are not only more efficient but also far more sustainable and passenger-focused.
What do you see as the most pressing sustainability challenge in your area of the sector, and how is your organisation responding through innovation, policy, or operations?
Decarbonisation is both a defining challenge, and opportunity, for the rail industry. At Alstom, we’re addressing this across the full lifecycle. Our services team supports operators at every stage of the decarbonisation journey, from performance upgrades for diesel engines to green re-tractioning solutions powered by battery or hydrogen. We’re also embedding circular economy principles into our operations: repairing and reusing components, harvesting materials from decommissioned trains, and extending the life of valuable parts.
This is formalised in our 2030 sustainability plan under a dedicated Resources Preservation pillar. Achieving this requires new business models, deep collaboration with suppliers and customers, and a collective mindset shift away from 'take, make, dispose' toward circular, sustainable rail.
How do you balance commercial performance with the long-term imperative to become a more sustainable business, and where do you feel the biggest trade-offs or opportunities lie?
We see sustainability not as a constraint but as a value driver. Alstom is leading the way globally by committing to end diesel-only train orders in Europe by 2025, and globally by 2030. Yes, there are upfront costs to sustainable innovation, but long-term these investments reduce fuel costs, maintenance, and carbon penalties. They also open up new market opportunities and attract funding aligned to green infrastructure.
Our clients increasingly demand sustainable options, and our portfolio of zero-emission solutions, including battery-electric, hydrogen, and retrofits, is unmatched. Balancing immediate financial performance with sustainability goals is never simple, but by embedding sustainability into our core strategy, we future-proof our business and deliver broader economic and environmental value.
Where is AI already changing the game in your organisation (or the sector more broadly), and what excites or concerns you most about what’s coming next?
Alstom recognised early on that data from rail assets holds immense value. We’ve evolved from basic analytics to advanced AI, allowing us to deliver smarter diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and even driver training. AI helps us improve service models, reduce waste, and enhance safety. However, we remain conscious of challenges, data quality, regulatory compliance, interoperability, and ensuring stakeholder buy-in all require attention.
What excites me most is the potential for AI to move beyond isolated use cases into fully integrated, end-to-end systems that continuously learn and optimise. This will radically improve rail’s responsiveness and reliability, while freeing up talent to focus on higher-value innovation and decision-making.
Looking ahead to 2030, what single shift do you think will most define the future of transportation, and why?
The convergence of zero-emission technologies and automation will define the future of transportation. Reducing carbon emissions while increasing operational efficiency are no longer separate ambitions, they reinforce one another. Alstom is at the forefront of this transition, offering a comprehensive range of hydrogen, battery-electric, and hybrid solutions across new and existing fleets.
We’re also expanding autonomous capabilities, from metros to regional trains, using AI to enhance command and control systems. Governments and operators are aligning around this twin imperative of climate action and cost-effectiveness, and by 2030, I believe these trends will fundamentally reshape how we design, operate, and experience transport.