Le Mans chooses ALSTOM's CITADIS for its new tramway

ALSTOM will build the CITADIS trams, which are based on
service-proven, standardized and modular components, to the
specific requirements of Le Mans. The 30-meter vehicles will
offer rapid, comfortable and safe transport, and their full low
floor offers easy access to all passengers, including those
with impaired mobility. Delivery is expected to begin at the
end of 2006 and be complete in mid 2007.

The 14-kilometer tramway line is expected to begin
service in 2007 and is expected to carry 50,000 passengers per
day. The construction of the tramway will also be accompanied
by a program of urban renovation and a reorganization of urban
transport that will reduce automobile traffic in the city
center.

The CITADIS family of trams offers flexible, modular
solutions for rapidly growing cities. The CITADIS design
concept combines standardization of components with
customization of interior and exterior design in order to meet
the individual requirements of each city in terms of
aesthetics, comfort and accessibility. 18 cities around the
world have chosen CITADIS trams, and ALSTOM has sold or won
orders for more than 600 CITADIS. The 281 CITADIS trams in
commercial service have carried 400 million passengers over 30
million kilometers.

With more than 35 product lines and a presence in more than
60 countries, ALSTOM's Transport sector offers complete
products and services for new rolling stock, signaling, and
electrical and mechanical infrastructure as well as maintenance
and rehabilitation 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's Transport sector, with sales of 4.9 billion euros
in financial year 2003-2004, is among the world's leading
suppliers to the railway industry.

Press information:
Helen Connolly

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

helen.connoly@transport.alstom.com