Grenoble

Located at the foot of the Alps, the city and wider region of grenoble has demonstrated a strong political will to protect the environment. Steps taken include a "Local Climate Plan", adherence to "Agenda 21" and signature of the UITP Sustainable Development Charter.

Changes in urban sprawl and an aging population have accelerated the development of entirely new and extended light rail lines to provide a high-quality alternative to the individual car and reduce urban congestion.

• Develop and extend the light rail system, including introduction into service of lines "C" and "D" and strengthening of the accompanying bus network.
• Increase the accessibility of the network.
• Apply operational expertise and certified management techniques to ensure the highest quality experience for passengers.

Between 2000-2010, major investments led to expand the tramway to line B in 2001 and 2006, completion of the 9,6 km line C in 2006 and the most recent 2,6 km line D in 2007.

Transamo, Veolia Transdev's engineering company contributed to the legal, administrative and technical development of lines C and D, including a new bridge combining light rail and car access.

Throughout this development, the Veolia Transdev expertise in light rail operations and management ensured a smooth introduction into operational service, communication with passengers and stakeholders as well as a redesign of the bus network around the new lines. Extensive driver training programs and internal education programs complemented their introduction.

Result: Today 44% of the agglomeration's population (172,000 people) and 50% of employment locations (89,400 positions) are within 400 meters of a light rail station.

TAG is the first French tramway network to have been made fully accessible to mobility-impaired passengers. Stations are equipped with:

• sloped access and tactile flooring for all 125 platforms of the network,
• direct access to the tramway from the platform,
• line names, stops, and destinations available in Braille, including on automatic ticketing machines on platforms,
• on-board with visual and audio announcements.

Result: 100% of platforms and vehicles are accessible to all passengers and the network was recognized with the "Palme d'or" for its efforts in 2009 by Ville, Rail & Transport magazine.

Since October 2004, Veolia Transdev put into place a new procedure to support staff when victims of an aggression or of anti-social behavior on board the transport system, combining security services, legal proceedings and psychological support.

Result: A study carried out in 2011 to evaluate the perception of safety by the network's passengers revealed that 96% felt "completely or comfortably safe", up from 94% in 2007.