LYON Transport Authority (Sytral) has signed a framework contract with Alstom for the supply of Citadis low-floor LRVs, including a firm order for 11 trams worth more than €40m and an option for further orders depending on Sytral’s future requirements.

The trams will enable Sytral to increase capacity on Line T4, with the first tram due to be delivered at the end of 2019.

The design of the new vehicles will be almost identical to the 92 trams currently operating on the Lyon network, except for the front end which has been entirely redesigned to conform with new STRMTG guidelines introduced in 2016. Alstom says the design has improved visibility and comfort for the driver while still preserving the spirit of the original design of Lyon’s trams, which is based on the shape of a silkworm.

The 43m-long LRVs will be able to accommodate up to 300 passengers each, with 100% low floor, air-conditioning, CCTV and audio-visual passenger information.

The trams will be designed and manufactured at Alstom’s site in La Rochelle, France. The other French sites involved in the project are Aix-en-Provence for the speed sensing equipment, Le Creusot for the bogies, Tarbes for the traction system equipment, Villeurbanne for on-board electronics and passenger information system and Valenciennes for the maintenance equipment and supplies.