Bordeaux officials ride their city's first completed
CITADIS tramway

The visiting group, accompanied by ALSTOM Transport president
Michel Moreau, ALSTOM Group France president Robert Mahler and
ALSTOM Transport France president Didier Genty, rode the tramset
on a test track at ALSTOMs dedicated test centre for
trams, which is adjacent to the companys Aytré site.
The vehicle made several trips back and forth by means of
traditional catenaries and also by an innovative new ground power
supply system. This new ground power supply system, developed by
INNORAIL, makes the project particularly noteworthy; the Bordeaux
tram will be the worlds first to be powered by ground in
some parts of its line, doing away with unsightly overhead wires
to better preserve the aesthetic value of the citys
historic centre.

A similar tram, currently undergoing tests at the centre,
should arrive in Bordeaux within a few weeks.

Alain Juppé noted with pleasure that ALSTOM had strictly
respected the designers concept for the tram, integrating
it within the industrial constraints.

Michel Moreau said, 'I am delighted that such a strong,
positive relationship has developed between ALSTOM and the
Greater Urban Community of Bordeaux and am pleased to confirm
that the first delivery will take place exactly to schedule this
summer, with commercial service to begin in late 2003.'

The scope of this projects contract, which was won by
ALSTOM in May 2000, consists of the supply of a total of 70
CITADIS tramsets --representing the largest CITADIS tramway fleet
in France-- as well as the tram tracks, the tramway platform
covering, the ground power supply and an option for the complete
maintenance of all supplied equipment.

In its role as consortium leader, ALSTOM is responsible for
project management, the interface with civil contractors and the
coordination of four subgroups.

For further information, please contact:

ALSTOM Systems

Vincent Aubailly,

External communications manager,

Tel. +33 (0)1 41 66 87 89

vincent.aubailly@transport.alstom.com
or

ALSTOM Transport sector

Helen Connolly,

Trade press relations,

Tel. +33 (0)1 41 66 91 43

helen.connolly@transport.alstom.com

• "Bordeaux Metropole" website (in french)