LONGER trams and expansion of the light rail network are among the highlights of a new public transport strategy for the French city of Nantes, which was unveiled by mayor Mrs Johanna Rolland on January 24.

A four-month trial using sensors mounted on trams to monitor air pollution has begun in the French city of Grenoble.

THIRTY years after France introduced the Regional Express Transport (TER) brand to reflect the decentralisation of regional passenger operations, French regions are looking to expand their role in the specification and procurement of local rail services.

DESPITE heavy snowfall, the first test runs on the cross-border tram line between Strasbourg and Kehl, Germany, took place on January 10, when a 42m-long Alstom Citadis LRV belonging to Strasbourg Transport Company (CTS) operated over the section between Aristide Briande station and the new Citadelle Bridge, which will carry trams across the River Rhine.

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) has selected a consortium of Alstom-Bombardier to renew trains on lines D and E of the Paris RER network.

THE mayor of Nantes Mrs Johanna Rolland announced on January 3 that the city will carry out a feasibility study into the construction of a fourth tram line.

FRANCE and Spain took control of the international high-speed rail link between both countries on December 21 after the contract with concessionaire TP Ferro was terminated following the company’s liquidation in September.

THE board of French infrastructure manager SNCF Network approved the draft of its first multi-year performance contract with the government, which includes a 10-year spending plan, during a meeting on December 20.

LYON Transport Authority, Sytral has started utility relocation works to enable full construction of Line T6 to begin in September 2017. The 6.7km light rail line is due to open at the end of 2019.

SYSTRA has secured a seven-year project management contract for the implementation of a new train management system for Corsica Railways (CFC).