Alstom to supply 7 Citadis trams to Valenciennes for a total of €17 million

SITURV, the Valenciennes regional transport authority, has chosen Alstom to supply 7 Citadis tramsets for use on the region’s second tram line. An option for an additional 1 or 2 trainsets is expected by the end of November 2010. This follows an initial order of 21 tramsets in 2005 and demonstrates SITURV’s continued confidence in Alstom. The new contract is valued at approximately €17 million.

The Valenciennes region’s second tram line will extend in two directions, from Valenciennes to Vieux Condé and from Valenciennes to Crespin/Quiévrechain. The new Citadis tramsets will have the same design and level of performance as the existing tramsets, which will speed integration into the current fleet and reduce the line’s costs. Each tramset will be 32 metres in length and will accommodate over 200 passengers – the equivalent of three buses. The platform-height floor will ensure easier access. And a video surveillance system, audio and visual announcements and air conditioning will enhance passenger safety and comfort.

Each Citadis requires 4 times less energy than a bus and 10 times less energy than a car in kWh per seated passenger, and is up to 98% recyclable. Moreover, it improves urban quality of life: the Citadis is nearly four times quieter than auto traffic, generating noise levels that are lower by about five decibels.

The Citadis trams will be designed and assembled at a number of Alstom sites, including Valenciennes Petite-Forêt (for project management and testing), La Rochelle (tram construction), Ornans (motors), Le Creusot (bogies) and Villeurbanne (onboard electronics). Delivery of the tramsets is scheduled to begin in March 2012 for commissioning in August 2012.

To date, a total of 1,475 Citadis trams have been ordered by 36 cities around the world, while a further 60 cities have tramway projects in the pipeline.