CAF TO SUPPLY 19 URBOS TRAMS TO THE FRENCH CITY OF TOURS
CAF has partnered with the Touraine Mobility Syndicate to deliver 19 Urbos trams for the new Line 2 in Tours (France), which will operate autonomously on a 2 km stretch.
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CAF has signed a contract with the Syndicat des Mobilités de Touraine (Tours) to supply the new fleet for the upcoming Line 2 of the city's tram network, which will link the communes of La Riche and Chambray-lès-Tours. This contract covers the supply of 19 Urbos trams together with the necessary depot parts and special tools.
The new trams will be similar in design to those currently operating on Line 1 of this network. They will have a low floor for easy accessibility, a length of 42 metres, and a passenger capacity of up to 280. Designed with passenger safety and comfort in mind, each new tram will feature multi-purpose areas with ample space for prams, bicycles, and wheelchairs.
They will also be tailored to the specifications of the Tours tram network, enabling them to serve both the new Line 2 and the existing Line 1. The trams will be equipped with on-board energy storage modules that will allow them to run completely autonomously without the need for the overhead wire, in particular, on the approximately 2 km long section between the Tours railway station and Choiseul Square, in the historic centre of the city. This solution provides an optimal alternative to traditional catenary solutions, preserving the urban landscape while reducing infrastructure costs.
Renowned for its Gothic architecture and as the gateway to the Loire Valley and its famous castles, the medieval city of Tours has recently launched the construction of the second line of its tram network. The new line will span 12.5 km and feature 22 stations, with service scheduled to begin in 2028. One of the objectives of this project is to enhance intermodality between the two tram lines and the bus lines, while at the same time promoting active modes of transport such as cycling and walking through the creation of cycle lanes and spacious pedestrian areas.
This extension of the tram network will increase transport options and strengthen cohesion between the various metropolitan areas. In particular, this new infrastructure will connect two hospitals, schools and university facilities for some 30,000 students, as well as a variety of cultural, sports and leisure facilities along its route.
Having been the preferred option of the Montpellier and Marseille conurbations, CAF has achieved new commercial success for its Urbos range on the French market, driven by the current favourable economic climate for public transport development in both France and across Europe.
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