Project Profile: Montpellier Tramway Line 5, France

The Montpellier Tramway Line 5 (MTL5) is a 16 km light rail transit line designed to enhance urban mobility and connect key residential, research, and employment hubs across the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. Operational since late 2025, the line strengthens the city’s sustainable transport network by integrating with four existing tram routes, significantly reducing vehicular congestion and associated carbon emissions.

Technical Specifications

The MTL5 route follows a north-south-west diagonal axis, linking the municipalities of Clapiers, Montferrier-sur-Lez, and Prades-le-Lez with central Montpellier and Laverune. The infrastructure project included extensive relocation of underground utilities, road and track construction, and the erection of 27 new stations. A key design principle was the integration of green spaces, with the line traversing ten existing parks and incorporating new landscaped areas to enhance the urban environment.

Service on the line is provided by a fleet of 22 CAF Urbos 100X bidirectional trams. Each unit is a seven-module, low-floor vehicle measuring 43.2 meters in length, with a total capacity of 304 passengers. These modern trams are equipped with double air-conditioning, real-time passenger information systems, and comprehensive video surveillance to ensure passenger comfort and safety. The system is designed for high-frequency service, with a tram scheduled every six minutes to accommodate a projected daily ridership of 80,000 passengers.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Network Integration: MTL5 provides a crucial transport link for previously underserved northern and western suburbs, enhancing direct access to major employers and research institutions, including Campus Agropolis and the CNRS.
• Sustainable Urban Development: Designed to handle 80,000 daily passengers, the line plays a pivotal role in reducing private vehicle reliance, cutting carbon emissions, and fostering urban regeneration along its corridor.
• High-Capacity Rolling Stock: The deployment of modern, 43.2-meter CAF Urbos 100X trams ensures efficient, high-frequency service, capable of meeting peak passenger demand and supporting future growth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When did the Montpellier Tramway Line 5 open?
The Montpellier Tramway Line 5 began passenger service in the second half of 2025 and is now fully operational.

Who built the Montpellier Tramway Line 5?
The Montpellier Tramway Line 5 was a collaborative project primarily funded by Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. Key construction and engineering partners included a consortium led by VINCI Construction for infrastructure works, SYSTRA for overall project management, and the Spanish manufacturer CAF for supplying the trams.