First cross-border Citadis trams delivered for service between Strasbourg & Kehl

The first Alstom Citadis trams for cross-border services between the city of Strasbourg in France and Kehl in Germany have been delivered for operational testing.

Twelve trams, worth a total of £41 million, have been delivered to the Strasbourg transport company CTS (Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois), following the signing of a framework agreement almost two years ago for a total of 50 trams. The first tram will now begin dynamic on-track testing with the following 11 Citadis due to be delivered by May 2017.

Cross-border Citadis trams to undergo dynamic on-track testing

The new fleet delivery marks the start of France’s first ever cross-border tram that will operate on CTS’s extended line A and line D which now runs to Kehl in Germany. Entry into commercial service is scheduled for next April.

Jean-Baptiste Eymeoud, President of Alstom in France, commented on the delivery: “Alstom is proud to help link up Kehl to Strasbourg, creating a unique bond of friendship between the two cities. The trams of the Citadis range, which have been adopted by 54 cities worldwide, combine the use of proven technology and modularity in terms of layout to combine reliability, comfort and customisation.”

First tram approved by German federal BOStrab regulations

The Citadis trams in Strasbourg will be the first approved by German federal BOStrab regulations covering the construction and operation of trams in Germany. The trams are 45 metres long and have the capacity for 288 passengers. Each is equipped with LED lighting and full glass doors to enhance passengers’ feelings of comfort and safety. In line with PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) regulations, the trains are equipped with easily accessible door knobs, wider seating and reserved areas for wheelchair users and passengers with strollers.

The trams are largely manufactured in France: La Rochelle (for the design and assembly of the trams), Ornans (for the design and manufacturing of the engines), Le Creusot (bogies for the intermediate modules), Tarbes (traction chains), Villeurbanne (electronic equipment) and St-Ouen (the design). The Salzgitter site in Germany will supply the bogies located underneath the driver cabins.