Reims

A historic town and capital of the famous region of Champagne, local authorities wished to transform mobility and deliver a massive modal shift through development of a light rail and network reconstruction.

• Ensure smooth redesign and integration of light rail into the existing public transportation infrastructure.
• Engage the local community and stakeholders in the project and respect the city's architectural and cultural heritage.

• Build, design and operate an entirely new light rail system for the city of Reims with a modern, integrated network able to meet present and future mobility needs.
• Maximize benefit of expertise from within the project consortium to ensure operational and maintenance excellence.
• Train existing and recruited staff to deliver a major new mobility project.
• Provide attractive and innovative services from day one to incite a major shift in modal share.

An innovative urban public-private partnership is responsible for investment, construction, operation and maintenance. The partnership has been defined by:

• the rapid nature of the construction: new engineering techniques that allowed up to 300 meters of track to be laid a day,
• respect for the local environment: the latest generation of underground electrification is used for 2 km as the route crosses the opera house square and other important heritage,
• a transformation of the urban landscape: over 100,000 m2 of green space reclaimed and new pedestrian spaces.

In addition, the inhabitants of Reims were invited to be part of a "co-creation" project - not only for the design of the vehicles, but also in choosing the color scheme of the entire new network:

• in a tightly fought contest between three Alstom designs, the front of the light rail is inspired by the heritage of this famous region - a Champagne flute,
• over 85% of the 7,300 voters chose the bold mono-chrome colors of designer Ruedi Baur.

A modern 55,000 m2 maintenance center is at the heart of the new network:

• centralized operations control center to coordinate the entire network,
• video surveillance and security monitoring,
• staff and driver facilities and training center.

• Extensive network redesign: bus routes and timetables have been adapted to maximize intermodality and close attention has been paid to links with the wider regional and national rail network at four key stations. Buses now operate with increased frequency, with additional night services, new access to developing districts and line extensions.
• Integrated ticketing and services: a completely contactless ticketing system, the "grand'R" chimed with the inauguration to encourage multimodality. This single, personal card can be recharged at 139 automated desks and sales points across the network and Internet with the aide of a USB ticketing service.
• Park & Rides: parking at three sites (431 spaces) is free for holders of annual subscriptions and occasional users benefit from special discounts on tramway tickets.