Photo by T. Sanson Trams in Bordeaux: modern mobility in a historic city

where: Bordeaux, France policy area: mobility when: 1997+

Bordeaux Metropole is one of the largest urban a fourth line planned in 2016, increasing the areas in France, home to around 720,000 network to around 80km. people and serving a larger metropolitan catchment area of 1.1 million. Nevertheless, the city has managed to retain its charm and “The tramway changed everything in Bordeaux. It is beauty, with its city centre boasting UNESCO in itself a tool for economic, social and ecological World Heritage status. development. The tramway is the backbone of our urban project and has allowed us to redesign the city Getting the tramway back on track and showcase our heritage. Moreover, it has provided the opportunity for Bordeaux’s residents to change their Like any modern city, Bordeaux faces the daily routines.” challenge of providing an efficient and Alain Juppé, Mayor of Bordeaux accessible public transport system to ferry its inhabitants – and the many tourists who flock to the city every year – back and forth. Bordeaux State-of-the-art transport has grown swiftly over the past decade. The city was faced with an influx of traffic and The tramway network in Bordeaux has several identified the need to develop an alternative notable features which have helped secure its mode of transport to return the city centre success and retain the character of the city: to its former glory. Ironically, Bordeaux’s first tram system, dating from 1880, was abandoned • In the historic centre (10km of lines), in 1958 on the basis that trams hindered the the trams run on a ground-level power flow of cars through the city. supply which prevents the overhead power lines from obscuring the city’s famed However, mayor Alain Juppé, upon his architecture. It also means that the trams election in 1995, recognised the need for cause very little noise pollution. action to curtail the impact of the growing traffic problems. In 1997, the city adopted the • The trams operate as part of a tramway plan and today the tram network in coordinated public transport network Bordeaux consists of three lines built at a cost whereby the bus-tram-rail system is of €1 billion. The network covers 44km, with timed to ensure the most convenient 33km of extensions scheduled for 2013 and interchanges for users.

The network of major European cities September 2011 • Tram stops are designed in such a way that “The tram definitely changed my way of moving around they become focal points for new squares. the city, making it easier to get to work or go out for Meanwhile, the network has ensured that leisure activities. And I save much more time than if I many of the city’s traditional squares have used my car! Not only is the tram beautiful, but it also become areas of calm. Some of these spaces, gives you the chance to rediscover the city.” such as Pey-Berland Square or the Bourse Tram passenger, Bordeaux Square, sit atop underground car parks, allowing the car to still access the city but with minimum impact. The city centre itself has become predominantly pedestrian. A resounding success

• The interior design of the tram – its Today, Bordeaux’s transport system represents arrangement of seats and standing places, an average of 100 million trips per year. Around including seats that are folded during peak 63% of all journeys on the public transport times - as well as its smooth movement, network are made by tram, and in 2008 the means that the trams become ‘mobile social trams carried around 54.7 million passengers. spaces’, with a layout that encourages The success of its tram network has allowed conversation and social interaction. Other Bordeaux to showcase its beautiful city whilst features that ensure a comfortable journey still providing fully modern transport facilities. include platform-height floors (allowing disabled access) air-conditioning and on- board video surveillance.

• As a fast, reliable and convenient means of transport, trams in Bordeaux tend to attract a larger usage than buses. The environmental impact of this method of transport has also had a positive effect on the city: the trams use a quarter of the energy used by a bus, and the quality of air in the city centre is now better than in the suburbs.

Photo by T. Sanson

Photo by T. Sanson

EUROCITIES Contact: Olivier Mauret, Square de Meeûs 1 City of Bordeaux B-1000 Brussels [email protected] [email protected] Telephone: +33 (0)5 24 57 52 71 www.eurocities.eu