Montpellier Tramway Line 5 is the fifth line of the tram network operating in Montpellier, France. It is the first development since the completion of Line 4 in 2012.
The 16km line is being developed by Montpellier Mediterranee Metropole (MMM), a government agency, with a total investment of €440m ($479m). MMM has appointed Transports de l’agglomeration de Montpellier (TaM), a public transport company, to develop the project.
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Montpellier Tramway Line 5 development is part of MMM’s mobility plan aimed at improving the city’s overall transportation system and reducing mobility-related carbon emissions by expanding the tram and bus network.
Construction works on the project were initiated in 2019 and are expected to be completed in the second half (H2) of 2025. Line 5 will provide sustainable mobility for 80,000 passengers a day with trams operating at a frequency of one in six minutes. The project will create 11,000 direct and indirect jobs.
In addition, it will improve the transit between research facilities including Campus Agropolis, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, and the National Institute of Health and Medical Research. The new line will also offer an efficient alternative to car use and support new urban densification.
Montpellier Tramway Line 5 details
The Montpellier Tramway Line 5 will extend from Clapiers to Laverune to form a north/south-west diagonal complimenting the existing four lines of the tramway that form a star.
The north-south line will extend from Saint-Eloi to Clapiers while the south-west route will run from Saint-Denis to Laverune. In addition, Line 5 will share 3km of its length with lines 1, 3, and 4.
Apart from enabling the creation of new green spaces, Line 5 will connect ten existing green spaces within Montpellier including Parc Montcalm, Parc de Bagatelle, Parc Clemenceau, Jardin des Plantes, Promenade du Peyrou, Grand Parc du Lunaret, Bois de Montmaur, future agriparc des Bouisses, Belvedere park, and Mas Prunet park.
The new line will be accessible by bicycle with cycling paths and a pedestrian crossing being created.
Route and stations details
Montpellier Tramway Line 5 connects Clapiers and Laverune passing through the communities of Prades-le-Lez, Montferrier-sur-Lez, and Montpellier offering high-quality connectivity to metropolitan France’s activity centres, housing, and job hubs.
The route will include 27 strategic stations in research and university centres, residential areas with transport deficits, priority areas of Montpellier, and five metropolitan municipalities.
Construction details
The project includes three significant phases of construction. The first phase involved moving, organising, and modernising underground networks, ensuring future renovations do not impact traffic on the line.
In 2019, preparatory work began in the northern section of the line and will continue in the west, allowing for diversion from current networks.
Phase two, beginning in 2022, focuses on infrastructural improvements such as building new roads, installing rail, and building facilities.
The final phase will focus on train tests and dry runs.
Rolling stock for Montpellier Tramway Line 5
Montpellier Tramway Line 5 will be served by 22 CAF Urbos 100X bidirectional trams.
The CAF Urbos 100X line features seven module units with low floors for easy entry, exit and movement. The trains will be 43.2m long and have a capacity of 304 passengers.
The trams will prioritise passenger comfort and safety, with specially designed seats for urban transportation systems. They will feature double air conditioning, passenger information systems, and video surveillance systems.
Financing
MMM is contributing €346m towards the development of Line 5.
The remaining €94m is being funded by the Ministere de l’Economie, Ministry of Economics, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and the City of Montpellier.
Contractors involved
A consortium of Artelia, Systra, and Atelier Garcia-Diaz was awarded the project management contract for the new line.
Artelia is a multidisciplinary consulting, engineering, and project management group and is providing design services and works supervision as part of the consortium.
SYSTRA is an engineering and consulting group based in France and is providing engineering and project management services.
Agence GAU, formerly Atelier Garcia-Diaz, is an urban planning, architecture, landscape, and design business.
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, a rolling stock manufacturer, was awarded a €225m contract to supply rolling stock for the project in June 2022. The contract includes the supply of 60 trams, with an option to add 17 more trams in the future. Out of the 60 trainsets, 22 will be deployed on Line 5, 30 on Line 1, and eight to boost reserves during maintenance activities.
A consortium led by Eurovia and Sogea Environnement was awarded a €32.5m contract in June 2023 to undertake infrastructure works for Line 5. Eurovia and Sogea Environnement are both subsidiaries of VINCI Construction.
