FRANCE: The latest tram line in Paris opened on November 16 with two days of free travel. Line T7 runs from Villejuif-Louis Aragon, the southern terminus of metro Line 7, to Athis-Mons with 18 stops and a depot at Vitry-sur-Seine. The end-to-end journey time on the 11·2 km line is 30 min.
In addition to metro Line 7, interchange is provided with the Orlyval peoplemover serving Orly Airport. Interchange will also be provided with several planned lines: RER Line C, lines 15 and 18 of the Grand Paris Express programme and the planned extension of Line 14 to Orly.
Peak frequency is currently 6 min, which is planned to increase to 4 min once an extension to Juvisy-sur-Orge opens in 2018. Ridership is expected to be 30 000 passengers per day.
The line is operated with a fleet of 19 Alstom Citadis trams, including the 1 500th Citadis delivered by Alstom. Each 32 m long tram has a capacity of 200 passengers. Ile-de-France transport authority STIF ordered the vehicles in February 2011 together with 20 trams for Line T8, which will link Saint-Denis with Epinay-sur-Seine and Villetaneuse. The order includes an option for a further 31 cars.
