French public transport operator RATP has won a three-year contract to operate and maintain a new tram system in Tucson, Arizona.
The Sun Link Tucson Streetcar line, which is due to enter revenue service at the end of 2013, will be 6.2 km (3.9 miles) long with 18 stops.
RATP subsidiary RATP Dev will be in charge of the line’s operation and maintenance as well as technical trials, hiring and training.
Construction of the Sun Link network began in April this year.
RATP Dev is already managing urban transport networks in Austin, Charlotte and Colorado Springs.
“We are delighted to have been selected by the City of Tucson and its transport authority to operate its future tramway network,” said Mathieu Dunant, RATP Dev director in charge of the Americas/Africa business unit.
The contract is for three years with the option of an eight-year extension.
U.S. rolling stock manufacturer United Streetcar signed an order for $196 million in 2010 to deliver seven trams to operate on the new network.
