Nantes willrenew its trams starting in 2023

The Nantes metropolis, in partnership with Alstom and Semitan, announced on Monday the upgrade of urban trams by 2026.

The Nantes metropolitan area aims to reduce congestion in the city center through the promotion of alternative transportation methods, and renewing the trams in the city is one of these projects.

Indeed, the city has invested more than 218 million euros in this project. It plans to replace 49 of its existing trains by 2026, with 12 additional trains completing the network in 2027. The company Semitan has been entrusted with this project.

Bertrand Affilé, vice-president of Nantes Métropole responsible for mobility and transportation strategies, announced on Monday that “improving the offer creates usage”. He also indicated that this renewal of trams is a “promise of accessibility for all” on the Nantes metropolitan network.

What Will These New Trams Look Like?

The “Citadis X05” trams will be more efficient and larger than their predecessors, with more comfort and design aimed at facilitating boarding for people with reduced mobility (PRM).

Alstom and Nantes Métropole claim new trams with 40% more visibility compared to the old trains. Notably, some of them date from 1985, the year they first entered service in the city.

These trams are designed to limit the distance between the platforms and the train, allowing easier access for PRMs, not to mention the spaces dedicated to them. They will also feature screens and audio-visual information systems.

The drivers’ cabins have also been considered in the tram design. This will offer Semitan-employed drivers a 180° field of view.

Here are some images:

This line upgrade will be carried out in stages:

• From Spring 2023: arrival of the first finalized trams in Nantes for technical testing on the network;
• End of 2023: commissioning of the first tram;
• Between late 2023 and 2024: commissioning of 14 trams;
• 2025-2026: delivery of the remaining 35 units;
• 2027: arrival of the last 12 trams.

Initially, the future trams will operate on Line 1 and will then be distributed across other tram lines. More information is available on the Nantes Métropole website.

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