FURTHER SUCCESS IN FRANCE, CAF TO SUPPLY 15 TRAMS TO MARSEILLES

The contract (value€57 million) also includes an option to increase the number of trams depending of the networkextensions to come.

Marseille is the second most populated city in France after Paris, with approximately 900,000inhabitants, and its port is one of the most important commercial ports in Europe. Besides thethree tramway lines, RTM operates both underground lines as well as the bus and ferry servicesin the metropolitan area.

The new Urbos platform trams will consist of 7 modules spanning a total length of 42.5 metres.Their design is similar to that of the vehicles currently operating in the city, with a livery stylingthat evokes marine motifs that Marseille is historically identified with. The units to be supplied by CAF are planned for operation on the 3 existing lines on the network, and it should be borne inmind that the T3 line will soon be extended to the north and south of the city.

This project forms part of the framework for the transport plan and mobility agenda of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, which seeks to improve its inhabitants' standard of living byimproving public transport infrastructures and services; specifically, the extension of thetramway network being one of the top priorities of the investment programme as it becomes thebackbone of the Metropolis transport network.

Yet again, this exemplifies CAF's commitment to the French market, where it has undertaken asignificant number of projects. Noteworthy amongst these was last year's contract as aconsortium to supply 146 trains for the Paris RER B commuter line, the contract for 28 regionaltrains with an option for an additional 75 trains for SNCF, the projects to supply trams for thecities of Nantes, Besançon and St. Etienne, as well as the refurbishment of the train fleet on theLyon metro system's D Line. Also worthy of note is the major contract which MontpellierMéditerranée MéWe should also point out that CAF has also recently finalised the purchase of the Reichshoffenmanufacturing plant, located in the French region of Alsace, thereby strengthening itsproduction capacity in France as part of its growth strategy in the country. This plant will joinCAF's plant in Bagnères de Bigorre, consolidating its position as the second largest player inthe French railway industry.