Citadis is a class of low-floor trams developed by French-based transportation company Alstom. It is built on a standard platform, which can be easily customised.
The tram operates at an average speed of 70km/h and can run on multiple electric power systems with or without overhead cables.
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Citadis is manufactured at Alstom’s plants in La Rochelle in France and Barcelona in Spain.
It is the most preferred tram in France and other European regions as it provides low purchase and maintenance costs even to small fleet operators.
As of April 2023, more than 3,000 Citadis trams are operating across 20 countries.
Citadis trams design and features
Citadis comes with 70% and 100% low-floor versions. The length can be extended from a coupled two-car to a maximum of seven-car sections.
Around 80% of the components are standardised while the exterior and interior can be modified as desired by the operator.
The tram is available in 20m, 30m and 40m lengths. The width varies from 2.3m to 2.65m. Depending on the number of sections, the tram can carry between 220 to 500 passengers on each trip.
The bogies, sub-systems and traction are standardised technical components. Ergonomically designed seats and onboard surveillance and information system also form part of the basic features.
Two shock absorbers are installed in the front end of the cab to protect the driver in case of accidents. The other common safety feature is the detector that monitors the driver’s movements.
If the detector does not sense any movements in the driver’s cabin or does not receive any response, the tram automatically comes to a halt.
Variations of Citadis’ tram family
The Citadis family comprises more than seven versions.
The Citadis 100, 301 and 401 types are the partial low-floor trams running in Poland, Orléans and Montpellier.
Citadis 301 and 401 run in Dublin as well. However, the length of the trams used in each of these cities is different.
Citadis 202 is a designated C-class and 100% low-floor tram operating in Melbourne, Australia. It is just 33cm above ground level and runs in two sections.
It is customised and has an integrated brake control with a sensor system that needs to be pressed every 30 seconds. If the action is not performed, then the tram comes to a halt.
Citadis 302 is the standard type and is mostly operated as a five-car section. Citadis 402 is a seven-section tram running in Bordeaux, Dublin, Grenoble, Paris and Dublin. Citadis 403 has a modified end bogie specifically designed for the city of Strasbourg in France.
Citadis X-04 is a 100% low-floor, three-car tram. It is designed for central and east European cities and is manufactured at Alstom’s Konstal plant in Istanbul.
Citadis was introduced as Regio-Citadis in Germany. It is built on a tram-train concept, which allows the trams to run even on rail tracks. Regio-Citadis has a dual-power engine that can run on both diesel and 600v DC and a hybrid version of Regio-Citadis operates on non-electrified lines also.
Citadis-Dualis is a variant of Regio-Citadis. It is designed to run at a top speed of 100km/h and has more spacious interiors with modern designs and layouts.
In December 2021, the latest generation of the Citadis trams, Citadis X05, entered passenger service in Athens. The five-section trams are 33.42m long and 2.4m wide with a maximum passenger capacity of 294. The X05 tram has a maximum speed of 70km/h and features 20% more glass surface, LED technology, state-of-the-art air conditioning and ventilation system and large screens.
Orders and deliveries
Alstom won the order for the custom design and supply of ten Citadis trams from SYTRAL, the transport authority of Lyon, in April 2011. The trams were unveiled outside the Part-Duie station in October 2012.
The new trams are 43m long and capable of carrying 400 passengers. They are designed based on the already existing fleet of 73 trams currently operated by SYTRAL. The trams operate on the new T3 line, which connects Part-Dieu Villette to Meyzieu.
In June 2011, the metropolitan authority of Greater Bordeaux placed a €80m ($115m) order for the supply of high-capacity Citadis trams. The contract included an option for additional five to 30 tram sets. The trams were delivered in April 2013.
In February 2011, Alstom delivered the last tram to the railway procurement authority of Dublin. The order was placed in 2007 for the supply of 18 additional trams to serve Luas light rail extension in Dublin. Dublin now has a total fleet of 66 Citadis trams.
An order to supply 37 Citadis trams was received from the Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul in September 2007. Of these, 14 trams were put to test on the Zeytinburnu-Kabatas and Zeytinburnu-Bagcilar lines in February 2011.
One of the major orders received was in 2007 from the French railway operator SNCF for the supply of 200 Citadis-Dualis tram trains.
In September 2021, Alstom received an order for 35 trams worth €115m ($136m) from SYTRAL as part of its Destination 2026 plan, which includes the construction and expansion of new tram routes.
Alstom also provided 98 Citadis X05 trams for the Tel Aviv Green Line Project.
In April 2023, Alstom was awarded a €900m ($991.14m) contract by Quebec City to supply 34 Citadis trams for the city’s tramway project. The contract covers the design, delivery and maintenance of the rolling stock for 30 years, with an option to purchase up to five additional trains.
Another order was received during the same month to deliver nine trams for Toulouse, eight for Brest and five for Besancon from the transport authorities of the cities. The first shipments will commence in March 2025. The trams will be 32.5m in length and 2.4m in width, with four double doors measuring 1.3m in length and two single doors on each side.
Alstom was awarded a contract worth €250m ($296m) to deliver the new Citadis trams for the Strasbourg network. In the first order, 12 Citadis trams will be delivered, followed by ten additional trams in the second phase.
The first shipments will be made in March 2025, with trains scheduled to be in service by the end of 2025. The 45m-long and 2.4m-wide Citadis trams will be equipped with eight double doors measuring 1.3m each at both ends to facilitate the transit of passengers.
