Alstom unveiled the first of 22 Citadis trams ordered by Nottingham Express Transit (NET) for Nottingham’s tramway extension project. This is the first Alstom tram to be delivered to the U.K.

The delivery is part of NET phase 2, a project to expand Nottingham’s tramway network with the construction of two new lines totaling approximately 10 miles and 29 stations.

The expanded network will see trams depart from Nottingham Station to serve the south and southwest of the city, with the new Citadis showcasing a design adapted to the city.

The Citadis for Nottingham can carry up to 200 people at peak times. The 22 new Citadis trams are being built in Alstom’s facility in Barcelona. After extensive testing, five of the trams will join the existing fleet on Line 1 in mid-2014, before the rest of the Citadis fleet enters service on the expanded tram network.

As part of the Tramlink consortium, Alstom has also been awarded the contract to maintain the 22 Citadis trams and is also maintaining the 15 trams already in service. Alstom is also building the two new lines, with associated overhead wires, track and signaling, with its JV partner Taylor Woodrow as part of the Tramlink Nottingham consortium.