With 3 new orders in Lyon, Istanbul and Algiers worth €240 million Alstom crosses the threshold of 1,000 Citadis tramways sold worldwide

Saint Ouen, France – Thanks to three new orders from Lyon, Istanbul and Algiers, Alstom has now sold more than 1000 Citadis tramways throughout the world since the launch of the range in 1997. This result demonstrates the confidence of Alstom’s customers in the Group’s ability to support their plans for the development of modern urban transport in an approach based on long-term partnership. The contracts awarded by these three cities to Alstom in the field of urban transport (tramways and metros) are worth a total amount of €240 million.

Ten years after signing the first contract with the city of Montpellier for a Citadis tramway, greater Lyon, a historic customer who has been with Alstom since 1998, has placed a complementary order for three Citadis. This order, which brings the size of the fleet up to 73 trainsets, is symbolic as it allows Alstom to register the sale of the 1000th Citadis in ten years.

Confirming the international success of Citadis, the city of Istanbul has also joined the ‘club’ of Citadis owners, becoming the 25th city across the world to equip itself with an Alstom tramway system, with an order for 30 trainsets. In addition, the city’s authorities have signed a further contract with Alstom for 68 Metropolis metro cars..

Lastly, in Algiers, the company that operates the city’s metro system, EMA, recently placed an order for a new turnkey package made up of seven Citadis trainsets, scheduled to operate on the extension of the first tramway line in the Algerian capital.

In total, these three tramway orders bring the number of Citadis sold throughout the world to 1,039.

In Lyon, SYTRAL, the company responsible for providing public transport to the city and its surroundings, chose Alstom in 1998 to provide the infrastructure, signalling and a fleet of 47 tramways, destined for its first two lines, T1 and T2, with, for the first time, an integral low floor. In 2005, SYTRAL once more called on Alstom for the supply and installation of the track, signalling and 10 additional trainsets for line T3, also known as “LEA”. In June 2007, 13 new trainsets were ordered for the new T4 line. Today, with a fleet of 73 trainsets, the network serving greater Lyon acts as a point of reference worldwide.

In Istanbul, Alstom will supply Citadis tramways coupled in double units and equipped with an integral low floor. They will be able to transport up to 500 passengers per trainset at a speed of 70 kph. The new fleet will operate on an existing network linking Zeytinburnu with Kabatas. 14 kilometres long, the line serves 24 stations through the historic Golden Horn district of Istanbul. Much used by the local population and tourists, this line welcomes 250,000 passengers per day. Delivery of the Citadis will commence in 2009, at a rate of three trainsets per month, Alstom will also supply 17 4-coach Metropolis trainsets for the city’s metro system in the second half of 2009. With a capacity of 1,230 passengers, they will be able to transport up to 30,000 passengers per hour, depending on frequency. They will operate on the Otogar Kirazli – Olimpiyat Village line, currently under construction.

In Algiers, Alstom is to deliver 41 Citadis trainsets. They will operate on the first tramway line, linking the city centre with the new districts in the east. The line, currently under construction, will measure 23.2 kilometres and have 38 stations. Alstom was chosen in 2006 by EMA for the supply of a first turnkey system consisting of rolling stock, track, the power supply system, traction electrification, the signalling system, control equipment, maintenance, part of the public works and a workshop.

Algiers, Barcelona, Dublin, Istanbul, Lyon, Paris, Melbourne, Rotterdam, Tunis… 25 cities have chosen an Alstom tramway and 50 other cities have a tramway project coming up in the next three years. This boom can be explained by the many benefits that this method of transport offers, in a context of exponential urban growth and strong environmental constraints, on a global scale. Tramways makes it possible to develop sustainable mobility, ensure genuine quality of service, to rethink and bring new dynamism to urban spaces, preserve architectural heritage and contribute to the growth of cities.