Tunis Light Metro Infrastructure

Tunis Light Metro Infrastructure

With the city set for continuing population growth, preliminary studies for light rail, the Métro Léger, began in 1974. A Siemens-led consortium won the contract to create the 1,435mm, overhead supply surface network. Line 1, Tunis Marine (also the city terminus for the TGM) to Ben Arous in the south, opened in 1985.

Tunis Light Metro Tram Vehicles

By 2006, 136 articulated passenger trams were in operation. They were built by Siemens and delivered between 1984 and 1997. These trams were derived from the TW 6000 originally developed for Hanover Stadtbahn. The bi-directional trams are powered via a 750 V DC overhead wire and run on a 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) track. The trams have a green livery with white and blue lines. Each tram consists of two units each of which has:

• Bogies type Bo-2-2-Bo
• Electric motors 2 x 240 kW
• Weight of 40.3 tonnes
• Length of 30 meters
• Width of 2.47 meters
• Access from low and high platforms

In 2004, an agreement between the French and Tunisian governments led to the order of 30 new Alstom Citadis trams. Each tram consists of two units 64 metres in length and can hold 208 people standing and 58 sitting places. The first such trams started to operate on 17 September 2007. 16 more trams were ordered from Alstom in July 2010.

Tunis Light Metro Overview

Tunis Light Metro Locale: Tunis, Tunisia
Tunis Light Metro Transit Type: Light rail
Tunis Light Metro Number of Lines: 6
Tunis Light Metro Number of Stations: 80 (2021)
Tunis Light Metro Began Operation: 1985
Tunis Light Metro Operator(s): Société des transports de Tunis
Tunis Light Metro Number of Vehicles: 173 (134 Siemens and 39 Alstom Citadis)
Tunis Light Metro System Length: 45.2 km (28.1 mi)
Tunis Light Metro Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Tunis Light Metro Electrification: Overhead lines, 750 V DC