SNCF orders additional tram-trains for Ile-de-France

French National Railways (SNCF) has ordered 15 Alstom Citadis Dualis tram-trains on behalf of Ile-de-France transport authority STIF in an agreement worth €75 million.

The SNCF order is part of a framework contract originally signed in 2007 for the French regions. SNCF has exercised the option to order 15 additional Alstom Citadis Dualis tram-trains which will be delivered from October 2017 onwards. The vehicles are scheduled to enter commercial service in 2019 on the STIF section of line between Livry-Gargan and Clichy Montfermeil.

SNCF ordered tram-trains designed to meet increased mobility needs between urban and suburban networks

Designed to meet increased mobility needs between urban and suburban networks, Citadis Dualis links the centre of town with the suburbs without having to change trains. Designed along the lines of Alstom’s Citadis tram, the Dualis version can run on a tramway network just as easily as on a regional rail network thanks to certain adaptations in terms of power, security and comfort. The vehicle benefits from the same dimensions as a tram enabling it to circulate in town whilst maintaining the performance of a train reaching speed of up to 100 km/h in outlying areas. It is hoped the tram-trains will revitalise urban spaces and enhance city architectural heritage.

To date, 48 Citadis Dualis tram-trains are in circulation in France, 24 in the Rhône-Alpes region to the west of Lyon and 24 in Pays-de-la-Loire on the lines of Nantes-Clisson and Nantes-Châteaubriant. Currently, 15 tram-trains for Ile de France are currently being manufactured in Valenciennes in addition to the new order. Five other sites will be involved in the manufacturing process: Ornans for the motors, Le Creusot for the bogies, Tarbes for the traction equipment, Villeurbanne for the on-board information and passenger systems, and Saint-Ouen for the design.