Alstom’s Citadis X05 trams enter passenger service in Athens

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  • 25 new trams run between city centre and coast

  • Successful conclusion of tests totaling 15,000 km

15 December 2021 – Alstom’s latest generation of tram, the Citadis X05, has entered passenger service in Athens. Running on a line that extends from the centre of Athens to the city’s Aegean Sea coast, it is estimated that over 60,000 passengers will ride the Citadis trams every day.

Prior to their entry into passenger service, the 25 trams successfully completed dynamic tests without passengers, totalling more than 15,000 kilometres on Athens’ urban network, ensuring safe and reliable operation once in service.

“Despite the pandemic, we managed to deliver these trams on time, and we are very proud of that. Alstom has committed to improving passenger experience with comfortable and modern rolling stock, while increasing the capacity. Citadis X05 represents the latest evolution of a successful range of trams. During the recently concluded tests, Citadis X05 again proved its reliability and performance, while showing that its style and class suit Athens well,” said Stavros Vlachos, Managing Director Alstom Greece.

"Citadis X05 represents the latest evolution of a successful range of trams. During the recently concluded tests, Citadis X05 again proved its reliability and performance, while showing that its style and class suit Athens well."

Stavros Vlachos
Managing Director Alstom Greece

The 25 trams ordered in 2018 by Attiko Metro, the urban transport authority of Athens, are the first Alstom trams to ever circulate in Greece. They will run at a maximum speed of 70km/h on the city’s existing network, as well as on any planned extensions.

In addition to the manufacturing and supply of the trams, Alstom is also responsible for the on-site testing, training and three-year warranty services, as well as spare parts for the vehicles.

The modern Citadis X05 trams supplement the existing fleet of light rail vehicles for use on the network in Athens and Piraeus. The five-section trams are 33.42 metres long and 2.40 metres wide, with a maximum capacity of 294 passengers. Double doors along the entire length of the tram ensure enhanced accessibility. The Citadis X05 range offers superior passenger experience, with 20% more glass surface, LED technology for soft, homogeneous lighting, optimised air conditioning and ventilation system as well as travel information on large screens via a telematic system. Citadis X05 tram performance is in line with Alstom’s ambition to become the leader of sustainable mobility as they ensure reduction of energy consumption by 25%.

  • 25
    new trams run between city centre and coast
  • >60,000
    passengers will ride the Citadis trams every day
  • 15,000
    km of tests have been successfully concluded

More than 3,000 vehicles from the Citadis range have been sold by Alstom in 60 cities worldwide. Citadis trams have covered over 1 billion kilometres and transported 10 billion passengers since the first tram entered service in 2000. Along with Athens, Citadis X05 has been ordered by cities such as Sydney, Paris, Nice, Avignon, Caen, Lusail and Frankfurt.

In Greece, Alstom also provided 28 metro trains for the first Athens Metro project in early 2000.

Alstom and Citadis are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group