Caen tramway

{{About|the current network|the former Bombardier GLT network that operated in Caen from 2002 to 2017|Caen Guided Light Transit|Caen's first-generation tram system that operated from 1860-1937|Trams in Caen}}

{{Infobox public transit

| name = Caen tramway

| image = Tramway Caen 1008 et 1022.jpg

| imagesize = 300px

| native_name = {{lang|fr|Tramway de Caen}}

| owner = Caen la Mer

| locale = Caen, Normandy, France

| transit_type = Tram

| lines = 3

| stations = 37

| daily_ridership = 50,600 (2022)

| began_operation = 27 July 2019

| operator = Twisto

| headway = 10 minutes

| stock = 36 × Alstom Citadis 305

| system_length = {{convert|16.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}

| track_gauge = {{track gauge|sg|allk=on}}

| el = {{750 V DC}} from overhead catenary

| map = File:Tram Caen 2022.svg

| map_state =

}}

The Caen tramway ({{langx|fr|Tramway de Caen}}) is a tram in the city of Caen, France.{{cite news|last1=Dardenne|first1=Elodie|title=Tramway à Caen. Pour l'instant, ça roule|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/caen-14000/tramway-caen-pour-l-instant-ca-roule-6106597|date=December 3, 2018|newspaper=Ouest-France|accessdate=2019-01-11|language=French}}

The tram opened on 27 July 2019 and replaced the Caen Guided Light Transit (TVR) that closed in December 2017.{{cite news|title=Tramway à Caen. Le jour où il s'est arrêté|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/caen-14000/le-jour-ou-le-tramway-sur-pneus-s-est-arrete-caen-5481003|newspaper=Ouest-France|date=January 2, 2018|accessdate=2019-01-11|language=French}} The tramway uses the same route as the TVR, with a short new branch to Presqu'île and a new tram depot in Fleury-sur-Orne.{{cite news |date=July 28, 2019 |title=Tramway à Caen. Beaucoup de monde à la Presqu'île pour les festivités nocturnes |language=French |newspaper=Ouest-France |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/caen-14000/tramway-caen/tramway-caen-beaucoup-de-monde-la-presqu-ile-pour-les-festivites-nocturnes-6461753 |accessdate=2019-07-28}}

History

The Caen Guided Light Transit (Caen TVR) opened in 2002 after 3 years of construction.

Viacités confirmed on 14 December 2011 its plans to abandon the TVR in favour of a conventional tramway by 2019, due to its unreliability. The conversion to light rail also included the termination of two concession contracts that Keolis and Bombardier-Spie Batignolles consortium STVR hold.{{cite journal |date=19 December 2011 |title=Caen to switch to light rail |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/caen-to-switch-to-light-rail.html |journal=Railway Gazette International |accessdate=2014-12-28}} In late 2014, the French government pledged €23.3 million towards Caen's light rail conversion project, estimated to cost approximately €230 million.{{cite journal |date=18 December 2014 |title=€450m for urban transport projects |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/EUR450m-for-urban-transport-projects.html |journal=Railway Gazette International |accessdate=2014-12-28}}

In December 2017, the TVR closed and construction work began. The new tramway opened on 27 July 2019.

Network

=Line T1=

The Line T1 connects Hérouville-Saint-Clair and Ifs. It is {{Cvt|10.7|km}} long and has 25 stations. From Monday to Friday, the frequency of trams is 10 minutes between 7am and 7pm.

=Line T2=

The Line T2 connects the north of Caen and its Presqu'Île. It is {{Cvt|6.6|km}} long and has 17 stations. From Monday to Friday, the frequency is 10 minutes between 7am and 7pm.

=Line T3=

The Line T3 connects Caen and Fleury-sur-Orne. It is {{Cvt|5.3|km}} long and has 15 stations. From Monday to Friday, the frequency is 10 minutes between 7am and 7pm. An extension to Fleury - Hauts-de-l'Orne opened on 29 August 2022.

Future project

On 9 March 2021, it was announced that a new line will serve the west of Caen by 2028.{{cite web |date=March 9, 2021 |title=Caen-la-Mer. Une nouvelle ligne de tram fer desservira l'ouest de l'agglomération |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/caen-14000/caen-la-mer-une-nouvelle-ligne-de-tram-fer-desservira-l-ouest-de-l-agglomeration-7180773 |accessdate=2021-04-29 |language=French |newspaper=Ouest-France}} This new line, named Line T4, will connect the Presqu'Île of Caen and Saint-Contest whereas the Line T3 will be modify and will serve the Théâtre de Caen, the Hôtel de Ville, the Lycée Malherbe, the Zénith de Caen, the new Palais des Sports, the Stade de Venoix, the Stade Michel d'Ornano until the terminus at Bretteville-sur-Odon - Pompidou and 17 new stations will be built.{{cite web |author1=Lecornu-Baert, Nathalie |title=Future ligne de tram à Caen. Hôtel de ville, lycée Malherbe, théâtre… Découvrez le tracé retenu |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/caen-14000/tramway-caen/future-ligne-de-tram-a-caen-hotel-de-ville-lycee-malherbe-decouvrez-le-trace-retenu-2292acde-b787-11ed-a4b0-37ddc7a8a1c1 |newspaper=Ouest-France |access-date=2023-05-06 |language=French}} In addition, 10 new trams were delivered in early 2024.{{cite web |title=Face à une fréquentation en hausse, Caen va recevoir 10 rames de tramway supplémentaires |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/en-region/face-a-une-frequentation-en-hausse-caen-va-recevoir-10-rames-de-tramway-supplementaires-13-12-2023-ETN2MJMWTNAJ7FKHICYLIHF374.php |newspaper=Le Parisien |access-date=2024-03-11 |language=French |date=13 December 2023}} In November 2024, it was announced that the extension will be postponed to 2029.{{cite web |title=L'extension du réseau de tram de Caen repoussée d'un an |url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/normandie/calvados/l-extension-du-reseau-de-tram-de-caen-repoussee-d-un-an-3056191.html |publisher=France 3 Normandie |access-date=6 January 2025 |language=French |date=6 November 2024}}