Le Mans trams to be extended

The French city of Le Mans has selected Alstom transport for a EUR 57M contract to supply new centre sections so that 34 Alstom Citadis 302 can be lengthened from 32 to 44m, achieving a 40% increase in passenger capacity on the network from 2025. 

 

On board equipment such as CCTV will also be modernised. After the complete assessment of a first tram, the project will also enable some systems to be modernised (CCTV, tachometric control unit) and new ones to be installed (lubrication and anti-drift systems). 

 

"Alstom is very proud to be carrying out this project to extend the Le Mans metropolitan authority's trams, thereby contributing to the development of a more modern, higher-capacity urban transport network. These energy-efficient Citadis trams will also improve comfort and operating conditions. We would like to thank Le Mans Métropole for its renewed confidence in our tramway solutions", said Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, President of Alstom France. 

 

The standard-gauge Le Mans tramway was opened in November 2007 at a cost of EUR 302M and extended in August 2014 so there are now two lines totalling 18.8km (11.7 miles) with 35 tram stops. 

 

The 34 trams carry about 19M passengers/year and when the extended trams are in service the peak headway will be reduced to 3 minutes.  

 

Delivery of the first extended trams is scheduled in March 2026, with commercial service expected to begin that summer.