ALSTOM's CITADIS for Bordeaux at GART 2001

The CITADIS tramway mock-up was presented jointly by Bordeaux
authorities (CUB) and manufacturer ALSTOM, opposite the
partners adjoining stands just inside the entrance of the
Palais des Congres. The city has a firm order for 38 trams as
well as 32 additional trams on option, which will be decided by
the end of 2001. Delivery of the first tram is set for May
2002.

When commercial service begins in Bordeaux in 2003, the
CITADIS will become the first tramway to operate catenary-free in
certain areas on its route. From the inception of this project,
one of the customers primary concerns was that its
historic old city and city center not be marred by unsightly
overhead wires. ALSTOM was selected for a solution relying on new
technology for powering the trams by ground, which is being
supplied by Innorail under project management by ALSTOM. ALSTOM
has recently inaugurated a
1.6 km test track in the city of La Rochelle for further
development of this new technology. It will also serve as a test
track for all CITADIS trams to ensure total safety and
reliability before entering service. A safety certificate for the
city of Bordeaux is expected for late January 2002.

At an informal luncheon on-stand to celebrate the Bordeaux
CITADIS, Didier Genty, President of ALSTOM Transport France,
said, 'ALSTOM is very happy to receive all these visitors to our
stand at GART. The Bordeaux project is going very well, thanks to
an exemplary cooperation between CUB and ALSTOM for the
development of this vehicle and for its integration in the city.'
In France, CITADIS now represents 75% of the tram market. A
second celebratory note added by Didier Genty: 'ALSTOM is also
delighted to announce that the 100th CITADIS has now entered
service (in Melbourne), before the end of 2001 a nice way
to round out the year! To date, the CITADIS has received 319
firm orders.'

The Bordeaux tram mock-up featured a working Passenger
Information System with interphones and video cameras (part of
its public safety features), the drivers cab and all
decorative details. It was well received by congress attendees
and school children alike, many remarking favorably on its modern
pared down interior and sophisticated deep blue and metallic grey
colouring, with yellow accents. The tram has a full-low floor and
wide doors on both sides of the tram to facilitate passenger
flow, and ¾ length windows and a wrap-around 'smiling' glass
front (when seen from the exterior) to maximize light and
pleasant views. Passengers can choose between different types of
air conditioned, comfortable seating areas: fixed 4 x 4 face to
face seats or fold-down seats lining the walls. Hand bars line
the center of the car for standing passengers.

Also displayed on ALSTOMs 208 sq. meter GART stand:

• A working model sub-station presenting the degree and
  benefits of its modularity and rolling stock 1/20 scale
  models:

• CITADIS tailored for the Ile de France region
  (RATP)     
• TER 2N NG double-deck suburban train (electric multiple
  unit, new generation)     
• CORADIA ATER train.

With more than 35 product lines and a presence in over 60
countries, ALSTOM Transport offers cutting-edge products and
services to four distinct types of customers: urban transit
authorities and operators; intercity passenger rail operators and
rolling stock owners; rail freight operators; and intercity
railway infrastructure owners. ALSTOM Transport, with 4.4 billion
euros in sales, has a 17% market share world-wide.

Contact:
Walter Dussaucy, tel. +33 (0)1 41 66 85 02

walter.dussaucy@transport.alstom.com

• To visit the GART website (in french)
• "Bordeaux Metropole" website (in french)