French Delights Part 2 – Paris Tramway T-3

Paris’s tram line T3 (tram Marechaux) opened on 16 December 2006, along a 7.9 kmAi??Ai??route from Pont du Garigliano (Bd Victor) to Porte d’Ivry. The new line runs along the southern boulevards, replacing many bus routes andAi??Ai??attaining an higher commercial speeds (about 20 km/h vs. the current bus value of 14.5 km/h). Some of the stopsAi??Ai??have important modal interchange opportunities with RER (Line B, Line C), metro (4, 7, 8, 12, 13) and about 30 bus lines. It’s expected an important extensionAi??Ai??will be openedAi??Ai??by the end of 2012, from Porte d’Ivry to Porte de la Chapelle (14 km, 25 stops).

The cost of Paris’s newest tram-line is somewhat higher due to extensive road rebuilding,Ai??Ai??lawned right-of-ways, shrubbery and other street furniture along the route. The cost of the light-rail line works out to CAD $42.5 million/km. Capacity of the line is 10,000 pphpdCountry France, with 21 vehicles and can be increased with the addition of more light-rail vehicles.