Official opening for new Western Lyon tramway

An official commissioning ceremony for Alstom’s Citadis Dualis tram-train has taken place in France’s Rhône-Alpes region to mark the start of service on the second line in the Western Lyon area.

The new trams will travel on a line linking Lyon’s Saint-Paul station to Brignais.

Two months ago, the inauguration of the first Citadis Dualis tramway route, linking Saint-Paul train station to Saint-Bel, was held.

The trams have been designed and assembled in Alstom’s French facilities, including the site in Villeurbanne which employs around 700 employees.

Alstom Transport France managing director Jérôme Wallut said: “Citadis Dualis is the result of Alstom’s know-how, shared with its partners in France’s rail industry sector. It was designed for and with the regions.”

In May 2007, SNCF signed a 650 million euro framework order with Alstom Transport to design and manufacture 200 Citadis Dualis tram-trains, including a firm batch for 31 trams – seven for the Pays de la Loire region, and 24 for the Rhône-Alpes region.

Since then, the Pays de la Loire region has exercised options on 17 additional trams. In all, 48 Citadis Dualis trams have been ordered.