(Reuters) -French train maker Alstom on Tuesday reported higher-than-expected sales for its fiscal third quarter, helped by double digit revenue growth in its systems and services divisions.

Alstom, which makes trains and signalling systems for urban and regional rail networks, reported sales of 4.67 billion euros ($4.86 billion) in the quarter ending Dec. 31. Analysts on average had anticipated 4.49 billion euros, according to a Visible Alpha consensus.

The group's sales increase was supported by the performance of its systems division, where sales rose 26% on an organic basis, as well as the contribution from services, up 11% year-on-year.

Third-quarter order intake decreased organically by 22.2% to 4.26 billion euros, ahead of a company-provided consensus of 4.13 billion euros.

The group reiterated its 2024/2025 targets for an operating profit (EBIT) margin of around 6.5%, organic sales growth of 5% and free cash flow generation of 300 million euros to 500 million euros.

($1 = 0.9602 euros)

(Reporting by Anna Peverieri and Alban KacherEditing by Tomasz Janowski)