Alstoms Citadis tramway, manufactured in Barcelona, to commence passenger service in Rabat, Morocco

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On 18 May 2011, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, inaugurated the new Citadis passenger service between Rabat and Salé, the first urban area in Morocco to operate a state-of-the-art tramway network. In 2008, STRS ordered 44 Citadis tramsets from Alstom, being manufactured in Barcelona at present. The trams will run on a network of two lines that connect 31 stations and extend over a total of 20 km. The fleet is made up of 19 double tramsets and 6 single bidirectional tramsets, which are scheduled to come into service in summer 2011, once the six remaining units have been delivered end June.

Morocco's first tramway is notable for its accessibility, its high capacity and the levels of comfort it provides. The double tramsets integral low floor - which is level with the platform - and 12 side doors ensure easy access, especially for people with reduced mobility. Each double tramset is 64 m long and has 118 seated places. They can carry between 400 and 600 passengers during rush hour.

These tramways have been specially designed to meet the operational requirements as defined by STRS. They feature tried and tested equipment that is fitted as standard on all tramways and are the result of feedback about all the Citadis tramways currently in service. A number of the elements that make them up can also be customised, such as the design of the drivers cabin, the livery and the interior fittings. The air conditioning and large tinted glass windows, plus the seating and wide aisles, passenger information displays in French and Arabic, and quiet engine operation have all been designed to ensure pleasant travel conditions. Like the Citadis tramways in service in Barcelona, Paris and Melbourne, Rabats trams have been designed so that STRS can provide its passengers with a high-quality transport service that is both safe and reliable.

This transport infrastructure project is part of the programme to develop the Bouregreg valley in response to a growing demand for public transport. It will function as a structural feature for the Rabat-Salé urban area and is symbolic for the country as a whole: commencement of the tramway service will herald the reintroduction of this means of transport, a means which existed in the first part of the 20th century as a tool for developing and modernising the country's main urban areas.

To date, more than 1500 Citadis trams have been ordered by 36 cities worldwide. In North Africa, Citadis trams have been chosen in all the towns which already have a tramway network or one which is in the process of being built: Citadis tramways have been in service in Tunis since the end of 2007 and in Algiers since May 2011, and are now going to be running in Rabat. Additional Citadis tramsets are in the process of being built for future lines in Casablanca, Constantine and Oran. Furthermore, more than 60 towns and cities across the world have tramway projects in development, with 20 or so in North Africa. Alstom is the world's second largest transport company and is contributing to the success of the tramway, a means of transport which is helping to develop sustainable mobility, allow urban areas to be redesigned and modernised, while at the same time enhancing their architectural heritage and boosting the influence of cities.

The commissioning of the Citadis tramway in Rabat highlights Alstoms commitment to its customers to implement the latest generation of rail equipment, accessible to all, and which also represents a means for the development of the country's main urban areas, stated Paul Moneyron, Senior Vice-President, in charge of Africa and the Middle-East for Alstom.

About Alstom
With a focus on sustainable transport, Alstom Transport develops and offers the most complete range of systems, equipment and services on the rail market. Alstom Transport can manage complete transport systems, ranging from rolling stock to signalling, maintenance and infrastructure, and offers turnkey solutions. In 2010-2011, Alstom Transport recorded sales of 5.6 billion. Alstom Transport has a presence in over 60 countries and employs 26,000 staff. Alstom Transport employs close to 2.000 people in Spain in 20 sites around Spain.

Press contacts:
Andrés López-Morancho, Alstom Spain Tel.: +34 91 334 5800
andres.lopez-morancho@crn.alstom.com
Germán Ruiz Gómez, Alstom Transport Tel.: +34 91 334 5800
german.ruiz-gomez@transport.alstom.com

Website: www.alstom.es