What Transurb does

Transurb is a Belgian company founded in 1973 and headquartered in Namur, organized into two complementary business units: Transurb Simulation, which designs, manufactures, and supports a portfolio of training simulators for rail operators worldwide, and Transurb Technirail, which provides engineering and consultancy services across signalling, ERTMS, and rail project integration. The simulation product line spans Full-Cab, Compact, Nano (portable), Cloud, Pocket (TrainLab tablet application), and Mixed Reality simulators, all managed through the proprietary R3 Simulation Management Software and supporting editor tools (Track Editor, ERTMS Editor, Signal Editor) that let customers independently author training scenarios and signalling networks. Since 2024, Transurb has also offered the Multiverse platform, which links role-specific simulators into a shared virtual world for collaborative team training across drivers, shunters, traffic controllers, and infrastructure workers.

The company's revenue model combines one-time hardware sales of simulators, annual leasing agreements (e.g., Medway Belgium), subscription-style software licensing for R3 and editor tools, and professional services through Transurb Technirail. Transurb monetizes its offering primarily through direct enterprise field sales to railway operators, infrastructure managers, and train manufacturers, supplemented by OEM pull-through via Stadler, Bombardier, Alstom, and CAF, which bundle Transurb simulators into rolling stock delivery contracts. The customer base spans 20+ countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America, including national operators (SNCB, ONCF, VY, SJ, MÁV-START), metro and light rail authorities (STIB, Metro de Medellín, Transdev Sydney), freight operators (Euro Cargo Rail, Medway, Colas Rail, SETRAG), and infrastructure managers (Infrabel, Network Rail). As of June 30, 82% of the company is owned by Cockerill Maintenance & Ingénierie (CMI), with SNCB and STIB as minority shareholders, and the business is integrated into CMI's Services division.

Name

Transurb

Legal name

Transurb SA

Website

https://transurb.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Transurb is a Belgian (Namur-based) provider of rail driving simulators, ERTMS/ETCS training systems, and railway engineering consultancy, serving operators, infrastructure managers, and train manufacturers across more than 20 countries via its R3 software platform and hardware simulator range.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rail Simulation and Training Equipment

NAICS

Support Activities for Rail Transportation (488210), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Railroad Equipment (3743), Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Operations & Signaling (EDAOANAL)

Keywords

• Rail simulation systems
• Train driving simulators
• ERTMS ETCS training
• Railway engineering services
• Urban transport consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Namur

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Simulation Hardware Sales and Leasing: Transurb designs, manufactures, and sells or leases a range of train driving simulators (Full-Cab, Compact, Nano) to railway operators, training centres, and train manufacturers. Simulators are available for purchase or through annual leasing agreements.
2. Engineering and Consultancy Services: Transurb Technirail provides specialised engineering and consultancy services across railway systems, including signalling, ERTMS, and project integration. This includes training program delivery, skills transfer, and after-sales support.
3. Software Licensing and Simulation Management Software: R3 Simulation Management Software, Track Editor Tool, Signal Editor Tool, and ERTMS Editor Tool are licensed to clients. TrainLab app is available via app stores with demo and potentially premium versions.
4. Simulator Annual Leasing: Transurb offers annual leasing agreements for simulators, as demonstrated by the Medway Belgium contract, providing recurring revenue from fleet usage.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Transurb designs, manufactures and licenses rail driving simulators (Full-Cab, Compact, Nano, Cloud, Mixed Reality and Pocket via TrainLab) and supplies the R3 Simulation Management Software for railway operators, infrastructure managers and training centres worldwide. Through its Transurb Technirail business unit, it also delivers specialised engineering and consultancy services covering signalling, ERTMS/ETCS and rail project integration.

Product overview

Transurb is a Belgian company organized into two complementary business units: Transurb Simulation and Transurb Technirail. Transurb Simulation delivers a comprehensive portfolio of adaptable training simulators for rail operators worldwide, ranging from Full-Cab Simulators and Compact Simulators to portable Nano Simulators and Mixed Reality Simulators. The product line includes Cloud Simulator and Pocket Simulator (TrainLab) for varied deployment needs. Supporting software includes Instructor Software (R³) with Track Editor Tool, Signal Editor Tool, and ERTMS Editor Tool for exercise creation and network customization. Transurb Technirail provides specialized engineering and consultancy services across railway systems, including signalling, ERTMS, and project integration. Notable innovations include Transurb's Multiverse platform connecting job-specific simulators in a shared virtual world, and Ground Staff VR training for technical inspectors and infrastructure workers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Transurb's Multiverse: Dynamic training platform connecting various job-specific simulators (train drivers, shunters, traffic controllers) in a shared virtual world
• TrainLab
• R3
• Nano Simulator
• Compact Simulator
• Full-Cab Simulator
• Track Editor Tool (TET)
• Nano+ Simulator

Products and services

• Full-Cab Simulator Full-scale replica of a train driver cabin offering complete immersion for comprehensive driver training on specific rolling stock. Sold to railway operators, training centres and train manufacturers worldwide.
• Compact Simulator Mid-range train driving simulator with interchangeable driving desks enabling a single unit to simulate multiple rolling stock types; balances driving cab accuracy with optimised footprint. Targeted at training centres running multi-fleet programmes.
• Nano Simulator Compact, highly portable desktop train driving simulator that can be transported in luggage-sized pieces and deployed across multiple training centres. Designed for route and signalling training with immersive capabilities while maintaining portability. Sold or leased to railway operators and freight operators.
• Mixed Reality Simulator Driving simulator combining physical cockpit elements with virtual reality overlays to deliver enhanced immersion for driver training.
• Cloud Simulator Web-based simulator accessible online from any computer, designed to reduce training costs and enable independent, flexible learning without dedicated hardware.
• 3D Cave Track Simulator (Ground Staff in Virtual Reality) Platform surrounded by 3D screens recreating the environment of track workers, used for safety training of railway infrastructure maintenance staff. Includes an observer wall and Learning Management System. Award-winning deployment with Infrabel.
• Centralised Traffic Control Simulator Simulator designed for traffic controllers to develop expertise in managing rail traffic and coordinating train operations.
• Transurb's Multiverse Dynamic training platform that connects various job-specific simulators (train drivers, shunters, traffic controllers) into a shared virtual world, enabling holistic team training with real-time collaboration across different railway roles in simulated scenarios.
• TrainLab Interactive Tablet-Based Training Tool

Quantifiable outcome

• 51 simulators deployed across Belgium for SNCB driver training
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Mobilita ITS AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransurb entered the Italian market with Mobilita ITS Academy, which invested in 4 Nano Simulators for ETCS Level 1 & 2, RSDD, SCMT, and BACC training. Courses are managed in collaboration with AIAFF – Accademia Italiana Alta Formazione Ferroviaria. Instructors use the Track Editor Tool to create custom scenarios.
• Siemens Mobility (Egypt)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransurb partnered with Siemens Mobility in Egypt for the National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) project, a historic project involving the construction of rail infrastructure under Siemens Mobility's major contract with the Egyptian government.
• StadlermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStadler appointed Transurb to deliver simulators for their UK projects including 2 Full-Cab Simulators for Wales and Borders (Stadler FLIRT and CityLink) and 2 simulators for Greater Anglia FLIRT trains. This is Stadler's first mainline rolling stock contract in the UK and represents close collaboration replicating past successes in Norway.
• LGMmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransurb and LGM formed a partnership to deliver ETCS-specific Driver and Traction Maintenance training materials for Network Rail's Digital Railway Programme in the UK. LGM contributes training engineering skills while Transurb provides its simulation and e-learning expertise.
• Network RailmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork Rail appointed the Transurb/LGM partnership to deliver European Train Control System (ETCS) specific Driver and Traction Maintenance training materials for the Digital Railway Programme, working with Train Operating Companies and Freight Operating Companies.
• Colas Rail UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransurb is delivering a comprehensive simulation programme for ETCS Level 2 training for both freight and on-track machine (OTM) operations to support Colas Rail UK's transition to ERTMS.
• AIAFF (Accademia Italiana Alta Formazione Ferroviaria)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIAFF, the Italian railway training centre and founding member of Mobilita ITS Academy, manages training courses and creates exercises using the Track Editor Tool for the Italian simulation deployment.
• InfrabelmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfrabel, the Belgian railway infrastructure manager, partnered with Transurb to create the world's first 3D Cave Track Simulator for track maintenance safety training. Infrabel was the world's first infrastructure manager to benefit from this VR technology.
• BombardierminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBombardier selected Transurb to supply a light rail simulator for STIB (Brussels), positioning Transurb as part of Bombardier's customer solution package for the 175 FLEXITY Trams ordered by STIB.
• BHPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHP, Transurb's Australian partner, participated in Factory Acceptance Tests for the development of the first training simulator of train control centre, demonstrating a collaborative approach to simulator development.
• Incomelec S.A.S.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIncomelec S.A.S. acted as Transurb's agent and partner in Colombia, providing guidance through the tender process and project implementation for the Metro de Medellín simulator project.
• Logistics in WalloniaminorOthersLogistics in Wallonia, the Competitiveness Cluster for Transportation, Logistics and Mobility in Wallonia, helped Transurb secure research funds from the Walloon Region for R&D projects including TrainSim.net and INOGRAMS, and gathered 15 partners including Infrabel, Multitel, UMONS, ULG, and UCL.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hitachi Rail: Hitachi Rail provides rolling stock, digital signalling and lifecycle services including training as part of fleet deliveries. Comparable to Transurb through both OEM partnership dynamics and direct training offerings to rail operators.
• Alstom: Alstom is a global rolling-stock manufacturer whose digital mobility and services business bundles or develops operator training alongside train deliveries. A broad incumbent competitor that intersects with Transurb through both specs-in partnerships and proprietary training solutions.
• L3Harris Technologies (MAPPS): L3Harris (formerly L3 MAPPS) provides industrial training simulation solutions across aviation, marine and rail. Comparable to Transurb's industrial simulation domain with overlap in rail driver and traffic-control training systems.
• CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles): CAF is a Spanish train manufacturer with its own simulator offerings bundled with vehicle deliveries to operators. Comparable to Transurb through OEM-channel dynamics for simulator inclusion in fleet procurements globally.
• Siemens Mobility: Siemens Mobility is a major train OEM offering signalling (Trainguard MT), rolling stock and digital services, including some operator training solutions. Comparable to Transurb as both OEM counterpart on bundled deals and adjacent trainer for the same rail customers.

Direct peers

• Corys: Corys is a French engineering firm specialized in railway driver training simulators and traffic-control training solutions. It is a direct competitor to Transurb across the same driver-training simulator category for European rail operators and tramway authorities.
• RTS (Realtime Training Solutions): RTS develops high-fidelity rail driving simulators replicating cab environments, signalling systems and route networks for passenger and freight operators. Directly comparable product portfolio and customer segment to Transurb's high-end driver simulators.
• ECA Group: ECA Group supplies industrial simulation solutions including railway signalling and training simulators for rail operators. Comparable to Transurb in developing simulation hardware/software for safety-critical transport professionals.
• Sydac: Sydac delivers full-cab, desktop and tablet driver training simulators for passenger rail, freight and light-rail operators, headquartered in Australia with European operations. Directly comparable to Transurb's Full-Cab, Compact and Nano simulator lines for similar rail customers.

Others

• Knorr-Bremse: Knorr-Bremse is a global supplier of braking and rail systems with adjacent training and condition-monitoring services. Comparable to Transurb's broader rail-systems engineering exposure through Technirail and ARCS subsidiaries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Transurb