Otis To Supply Elevators, Escalators For Innovative New Subway Line In Turin, Host City For 2006 Winter Olympics

FARMINGTON, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2004--Gruppo Torinese Trasporti (GTT) has awarded Otis a $9 million (7.2 million euro) contract for elevators and escalators that will be installed in six stations of a subway line under construction in Turin, host city for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.

Otis President Ari Bousbib said, "We are excited to play a role in this important transportation project for the city of Turin. The new subway line will be a boon not only to the citizens of Turin but also to the many international visitors to the 2006 Winter Games. We are proud to play a role in making the city more accessible."

The new underground metro line, operated by GTT, is an automated driverless system, known as VAL (Vehicule Automatique Leger). The new line will cover 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) and will complement the city's public transportation system of bus and tramway lines. VAL is the first fully automated light metro, without driver or attendant on board the vehicle. Operators in a control center supervise the system.

The Otis equipment, consisting of 38 public escalators and 19 hydraulic elevators will be installed in the Monte Grappa, Rivoli, Racconigi, Bernini, Principi d'Acaja and XVIII Dicembre stations of Turin's new Collegno to Porta Nuova Line.

The subway will be in operation before the opening of the 20th Olympic Winter Games in February 2006. Turin will be the site of the inauguration ceremony, the Medal Plaza, Olympic Village and services for press, radio and television as well as for the ice sports of curling, hockey, figure skating, short-track and speed skating.

Otis Elevator, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX), is the world's largest manufacturer and maintainer of people-moving products, including elevators, escalators, shuttle systems and moving walkways. With headquarters in Farmington, Connecticut, Otis employs 60,000 people, offers products and services in more than 200 countries and territories and maintains more than 1.4 million elevators and escalators worldwide.