Tramway De Nice

The Nice tram ( ) is a , four-line tram system in the city of Nice, France. It is operated by the ''Société nouvelle des transports de l'agglomération niçoise'', a division of Transdev, under the name ''Lignes d'azur''.

Opened on 24 November 2007, it replaced bus lines 1, 2, 5 and 18. From the start, the system had 20 Alstom Citadis trams in service, providing a tram every seven minutes. Since its inception, the number of passengers has increased from 70,000 per day in 2008 to 90,000 per day in 2011. The frequency has gradually increased to a tram every four minutes in 2011.

Given the success of the T1 Line, Mayor Christian Estrosi decided to create additional lines. The West-East T2 Line serves the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. A future extension of the west–east line, north along the Var valley, is proposed. Another extension, running further west from the airport, across Var, is also proposed. In addition, the Nice Côte d'Azur urban region decided to extend Line 1 to the Pasteur neighbourhood.

History

1900–1953

The first tram in Nice opened in 1879, was electrified in 1900, and was followed by a departmental network in 1906. The entire network was electrified in 1910. In the 1920s, the network had 11 lines, some of which were partially used for goods transport. However, the tram was criticised and was replaced by buses on some lines beginning in 1927. The last tramway in Nice ceased service on 10 January 1953.

Renaissance

Like many other French cities, Nice has major traffic problems, including the fact that most economic activities are concentrated in the centre. To overcome these problems, studies on the implementation of transit in dedicated lanes were conducted in 1987. The city of Nice began to implement dedicated bus lanes in 1997, and launched a study on the implementation of a tram line in 1998.

Trams were chosen because they appeared to be more reliable than buses, since they are not subject to the vagaries of traffic, but they are less expensive than a subway line. The tram was declared a public utility in 2003 and work began the same year; the line was placed in service on 24 November 2007 after several weeks of technical trials, even though construction was not fully completed.

In the months following the launch of the tram, there were between 65,000 and 70,000 passengers daily; the number rose to 90,000 by January 2011.

Network

The Nice tramway was designed to serve most of the population of Nice. As the city is situated on hilly ground by the sea, the first tram line was drawn as a U shape, passing through the city centre.

Henri Sappia terminus

Formerly called "Las Planas", the north-western terminus of the tramway was renamed " Henri Sappia" in July, 2013. The Henri Sappia depot is situated at the northwestern terminus of the line in the neighbourhood of Le Rouret, where the Count of Falicon and the Marquis of Rouret once owned large villas and many farms dotted the land.

Above the tram terminus sport and cultural centres have been built. The plaza in front of the station has been raised and planted, with a fountain of water jets installed.

Fontaine du Temple

The Fontaine du Temple neighbourhood where the ''Comte de Falicon'' tram stop is built has been remodelled for the arrival of the tramway. The plaza has been repaved and will host an outdoor market.

Latest expansions

Line 2 Ouest-Est (T2)

Line 2 runs for of which near the centre is underground. Starting at Port Lympia in the east and ending at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport

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