Le Mans tramway

The tram Le Mans (French Tramway du Mans ) was for 302 million euros, the cheapest among the new buildings in recent years in France. The first piece, the route Antares - Université is approved for use since the 17th November 2007. The diversion of the station Saint -Martin to the eastern terminus Espal went on 22 December 2007.

The tram service is operated by the Société des transports en commun de l' agglomà Mancelle ( SETRAM ). It also organizes bus transport in the metropolitan region of Le Mans, Le Mans next to belong to the eight other municipalities.

The tram 1897 - 1947

Already from 1897 to 1947 there was a narrow gauge tram at Le Mans. Four electric lines went in the city area, the surrounding area was associated with a grid of narrow-gauge steam trams to the city. One of the lines had a tunnel, so they crossed the town center. Both route networks were then called the Tramway ( tram).

A special technical feature was the so-called " Pont de X" ( the x - shaped bridge ). There were two metal bridges that crossed the river Sarthe. But you did not run perpendicular to the shore as is usually the case, but at an angle to it and crossed in the middle of the river. The bridge was used by the electric tram, the other by the railway. 1944, construction was destroyed in an air raid.

The new tram

The first plans for a reintroduction of the tram back to the year 1992. In 1997 the route of the 15.4 km long line is set. As the vehicle Translohr system came into consideration, finally in 2001, Alstom is responsible for the delivery of Citadis trams. In 2002, the cost of building the trams and vehicles to 290 million euros were estimated. The " Déclaration d' utilité publique " is signed in the spring of 2004. Work began in the summer of 2004 so that the future path was cleared of supply lines. In November, work began on the depot. In February 2006, the first rails were laid. The cost of construction of the track and for the acquisition of vehicles totaled 302 million euro.

The first test drives already began in mid- July 2007. On July 20, a set sailed for the first time all the way from south to north. The route Antares - Université opened as the first piece on November 17, 2007. Then the traffic was also on the eastern branch of Saint Martin on December 22, 2007 - added Espal.

The average utilization of the tram is 45000-48000 passengers per day.

The route network

The route network extends in a north-south direction, with a branch to the east, through the town and has a total length of 15.4 km. The network forms a three -pointed star with the station Saint Martin as a hub. It is traversed by the line T ( Tram Ligne ), where the two path portions south and east of Saint Martin are operated alternately ( Saint Martin - Espal - Antares and Saint Martin). There are 30 stops, including three final stops. Compared to previous network the new routes to standard gauge are executed.

Despite efforts to keep the construction costs low, 10 km of the network are designed as green track. Generally much emphasis on a high quality design of the route and stops to allow the tram blends seamlessly into the urban landscape - Specifically built - as with new French trams usual.

Route Université - Saint Martin

The northern part of the tram consists of the longest and most important part route, which covers the University of Maine, Le Mans, the hospital, the access to the historic Old Town and the city center with its pedestrian area and the train station at the bus stop Gares. At the train station connecting flights to trains of regional and long-distance services as well as to several city bus lines and the surrounding areas.

Route Saint Martin - Antares

The route of Saint Martin from the South to the Cultural Antares on the outskirts of the city, where in addition to the well-known motorsport race Circuit des 24 Heures is also the football stadium opened in 2011, MMArena.

Route Saint Martin - Espal

It opens up the east of Saint Martin neighborhood located Sablons. Is located at the terminus Espal the Arche de la Nature, a recreational and tourist area.

Fleet

For operation are 23 car sets available. These are low-floor articulated railcar manufacturer Alstom type Citadis 302 The first trainset was delivered in January 2007, the last on November 7, 2007. Power is supplied via an overhead line is operated with 750 V voltage.

Equipped with air conditioning unit trains are 32 m long and 2.40 m wide, they have 64 seats and can accommodate 200 people. Due to be added a further module could be extended by another 10 m.

The trains carry all a name. With the exception of the first unit came with the name " Désir " names were chosen, which are connected with the town of Le Mans or the surrounding communities in any way.

Operating times

The trams run from 5 am in the morning until 1 h at night. The time interval between two paths is at peak hours 5 minutes on the main line Université - Saint Martin and 10 minutes on the routes Saint Martin - Saint Martin and Antares - Espal. For the distance Université - Antares, 34 minutes; predicts 31 minutes driving time Espal - for connection Université. According to the current SETRAM current schedule, however, there 37.5 minutes for the section Université - Antares and 34 minutes for the section Université - Espal.

Expansion plans

After the success of the tram, the expansion of the same politically only little in the way. As a first extension of a distance from the stop Préfecture towards the north -east is planned in the District of Bellevue. The tram is here to replace a portion of the bus line 3, which is considered bestausgelastete in the city. Thanks to the capacity and attractiveness increase by the tram itself expects a passenger frequency of 23 000 people.

The cost for the 4 -kilometer route will be 68 million euros, in which case the cost of remodeling the spaces are included. In addition, seven new vehicles will be required for the operation. The opening of the line is targeted for the second half of 2014.

With the opening of the Tram Le Mans two "real" lines should have. The branch of Saint Martin - Espal to be taken over by the newly created line T2, which is then connected from Bellevue over the station with the line to Espal.