FRANCE: Jugglers, acrobats and musicians led the celebrations on Rue de Rome to mark the opening of Marseille’s third tram route on May 30. Local traders were offered 7 000 tickets for distribution to their customers, to highlight how the new tram service can facilitate car-free shopping,
The northern end of Route T3 shares tracks with T2 between Arenc Le Silo and Belsunce Alcazar. It then follows a new 1·2 km alignment along the pedestrianised Rue de Rome, with four intermediate stops serving the shopping area. T3 terminates at Castellane, where there is an interchange with metro line M2.
Development of the new line took 2½ years and cost €57·4m, including the provision of additional reversing facilities at Arenc Le Silo. Six additional Bombardier trams have been acquired.
