CAF Grenoble Tram Contract: Improving French Rail Passenger Experience

CAF Secures Contract to Supply 38 New Trams for Grenoble, France

In a significant win for the Spanish rolling stock manufacturer, CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), the Syndicat Mixte des Mobilités de L’Aire Grenobloise (SMMAG) has awarded the company a contract to supply up to 38 new trams for the city of Grenoble in the French Alps. This decision, announced recently, marks a crucial step in Grenoble’s public transport modernization strategy. The order encompasses the Urbos tram platform, a proven design deployed in numerous cities worldwide. This article will delve into the specifics of the contract, exploring the features of the new trams, the strategic rationale behind the investment, and the broader implications for CAF’s growing presence in the French market. The new trams, scheduled to begin entering service in 2028, are designed to dramatically improve the passenger experience, accessibility, and efficiency of Grenoble’s tram network.

Modernization of the Grenoble Tram Network

The heart of this contract lies in SMMAG’s commitment to upgrading Grenoble’s public transportation infrastructure. The primary objective is to offer a more dynamic and user-friendly service, catering to the evolving needs of the city’s inhabitants. The current operational trams will gradually be phased out, starting in 2028. The replacement plan will allow for a seamless integration of these new Urbos trams. The new trams are purpose-built to meet the specific operational requirements of the metropolitan area, focusing on improved accessibility, increased passenger capacity, enhanced comfort, and overall operational optimization. The contract includes the potential for an extension of up to nine additional units, showcasing the potential for further growth and network development within the Grenoble area.

Advanced Features and Passenger Experience

The new Urbos trams are poised to redefine the passenger experience. Every unit will be fully air-conditioned, ensuring comfortable journeys regardless of the external climate. The design incorporates a 100% low-floor configuration, a critical feature that significantly enhances accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair users, and families with prams. Each tram will have a high capacity, capable of accommodating 281 passengers, with 82 seats provided. Furthermore, the design incorporates twelve double-access doors, designed to minimize boarding and alighting times at tram stops, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the network and contributing to reduced dwell times at stations. This feature is particularly important for maximizing the operational capacity of the line.

Manufacturing and Technology

The new trams will be assembled at CAF’s Bagnères-de-Bigorre plant, a key hub for the company’s tram and short train manufacturing in France. This facility houses the expertise needed to produce these complex rolling stock units. The trams will integrate CAF’s state-of-the-art Urbos tram platform, a design that has already demonstrated exceptional reliability and is currently in use in nearly 50 cities worldwide. This choice underscores CAF’s commitment to delivering proven technology to meet client needs. The Urbos platform offers several advantages, including optimized energy consumption, reduced maintenance costs, and a high degree of modularity, which allows for customization based on the operator’s specific requirements.

CAF’s Expanding Footprint in France

This contract win for CAF in Grenoble represents another success for the company in the French market. The Urbos tram contract comes in addition to a recent announcement of a new train contract for the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, highlighting CAF’s growth and competitiveness. Both projects combine to represent a total value of EUR 300 million, marking a significant investment in CAF’s European expansion strategy. The company’s growing presence in the French market, highlighted by similar contracts in Marseille, Montpellier, and Tours, reflects the company’s ability to deliver solutions tailored to diverse operational requirements. In March, the Syndicat des Mobilités de Touraine (Tours) awarded CAF a contract for 19 Urbos trams for the upcoming Line 2.

Conclusion

The contract awarded to CAF for the supply of new trams to Grenoble is a strategic move that reinforces the city’s commitment to providing efficient, accessible, and comfortable public transport. These new Urbos trams are poised to transform the passenger experience, and their arrival marks a critical step toward a more modern and sustainable transport network for the French Alpine city. The project’s success could also influence other cities in France, further driving demand for modern, high-capacity trams. This contract underscores CAF’s strength in the tram manufacturing sector. As urban populations continue to grow, the need for efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly public transit systems will only increase. This project positions CAF to capitalize on future opportunities in France and across Europe.