Shenyang tramway network operated by RATP Dev and Transdev enters service

Service began simultaneously on lines 1, 2 and 5 of the Shenyang tramway network on 15 August 2013 in the run-up to the 12th “China National Games 2013” beginning on 31 August – less than four months after the RATP Dev / Transdev joint venture won the operations contract.

Line 1 connects the Exhibition Center station to the Olympic Center station across 18.7 km. Line 2 stretches across 15 km between the Olympic Center and Taoxian Airport stations and line 5 connects the Olympic Center station to Shenfu City across 21.1 km. The 15.1-km long line 3 is scheduled to enter service soon.

“The Shenyang tramway is highly symbolic; it is China’s first modern tramway. Some of its sections operate without catenaries. The service launch demonstrates the dynamic approach of the RATP Dev / Transdev joint venture and consolidates our development strategy in China, where several tramway projects are being research or are already in progress. It was also achieved less than four months after the operations contract was signed. Being ready in such a short time frame was a real challenge for our staff members”, announced RATP Dev CEO François-Xavier Perin and Transdev Chairman and CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac in a joint statement.

At almost 70 km in length and boasting 65 stations, the new tramway network should make travel considerably easier for the 7.2 million inhabitants of Shenyang and for the thousands of spectators expected at the 2013 China National Games to be held from the 31st August to the 12th September. In time the four new lines should carry over 150,000 passengers per day. The tramway network is also scheduled to expand with a 6th line under construction and a 4th currently which still under review.

According to the standard Chinese business model, on April 26th 2013 the Shenyang city authorities awarded the operations and maintenance contract for the new tramway network to an operations company of which is 51% owned by the city and 49% by the RATP Dev / Transdev joint venture. The three-year contract should generate overall revenue of 330 million yuan (over €41 million)