Liege tram reaches city centre, but extensions cancelled

The French-speaking Belgian city of Liege (population 195 300) is building a new tram line over an 11.7km route from Coronomeuse to Sclessin via the city centre; opening is scheduled for 31 January 2025. 

 

CAF has supplied 20 45.4m 100% low-floor trams. Tram testing started on the Coronomeuse section in October 2023, but on 20 August 2024 the first test tram reached the city centre (Place St lambert and Opera) to be greeted by politicians and local people, Regular testing through the city centre starts this autumn. 

 

The 11.7km line was intended to be the core of an extended tramway, 3.2km to Herstal and 2.6km to Seraing with planning in progress this year. However on 29 August the new Walloon government announced that it was no longer willing to finance these extensions, estimated to cost EUR 350M, but deemed too expensive. Instead two priority bus lines will be built costing EUR 264M. 

 

The Walloon socialists, now in opposition, condemned the decision, that was taken without any consultation and would have serious and economic consequences. Following the 2024 Belgian regional elections the Reformist Movement (MR) achieved 29.6% of the vote and formed the liberal conservative regional government. 

 

Liege’s first-generation tramway was abandoned at the end of 1967. A metro scheme was planned in the 1970s, but the project was aborted after construction had started. the new tramway is being built and operated as a Public-Private Partnership with the Tram’Ardent consortium, which has a 31-year contract.