On Monday, the first trainset of the Citadis Dualis tram-train departed Alstom Transport’s site in Valenciennes, France for the city of Nantes to undergo comprehensive testing.
Designed to link the city center with the surrounding region, the Citadis Dualis can function on a tramway and can also operate on a regional rail network, due to a series of adaptations that provide for power, safety and comfort.
The Citadis Dualis is part of a new generation of rail equipment, offering a fold-out coupling that absorbs the reinforced structure in the event of a crash to meet the latest safety standards; new compact bogies designed for operation at 62 mph, offering enhanced comfort and movement; permanent magnet motors that reduce energy consumption; and environmentally-friendly materials to ensure that 90 percent of the vehicle is recyclable.