Île-de-France Mobilités – the public authority that plans, organises and finances public transport across the region which includes Paris and its surrounding areas – has awarded a contract to supply fifteen tram-train units for the T13 line to rolling stock company CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles).

The contract is worth more than EUR 150 million and also includes options for CAF to supply spare parts for the fleet and additional trains.

The T13 line is part of the regional transport network and is operated by RATP Cap Île-de-France, which is a subsidiary of RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens).

The line opened in 2022, and serves the Grand Contournement Ouest (GCO) area of Paris, running daily services between Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Saint-Cyr-l’École in the Yvelines department, with trains stopping at Mareil-Marly, L’Étang-la-Ville, Noisy-le-Roi, Bailly and Versailles. The line connects with TER, RER and local bus routes.

The fifteen new tram-trains will support the planned extension of the T13 line to Achères.

This will create the capacity to increase service frequency and reduce journey times. Trains will run every ten minutes during peak periods.

The extension will also improve connectivity with other transport modes RER A, RER E and Transilien Line L services. T

The new vehicles will be built on CAF’s proven URBOS tram platform, and will bring modern, reliable rolling stock to the line.

Each will be 42 metres long and 2.65 metres wide and will comprise seven articulated modules mounted on five bogies. Each unit will be able to carry 86 seated passengers and 170 standing passengers.

Around three-quarters of each vehicle will have an accessible, low-floor design.

There will also be air conditioning and dynamic passenger information displays located above the doors and on station platforms.

The new rolling stock’s appearance will be in line with the visual identity and design standards of Île-de-France Mobilités.

The fleet will be to manufactured at CAF’s facility in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, in France’s Hautes-Pyrénées region.

CAF recently opened a maintenance facility in Manchester, and has supplied rolling stock for Britain’s railway system.