The delivery of the first of 27 new Citadis trams marks a significant step in the long-planned modernisation of the Lille tramway network, operated by Ilévia, a subsidiary of Keolis, on behalf of the Métropole Européenne de Lille. The vehicles, supplied by Alstom, are intended to fully replace the existing fleet dating from the 1990s and will progressively enter service from mid-2026.
The contract, which originally comprised 24 vehicles, has since been expanded to 27 units and is valued at approximately 124.8 million euros. This amounts to about 4.62 million euros per vehicle. It is part of a broader investment program totaling approximately 276 million euros, aimed at expanding public transportation in the Lille metropolitan area and making it more sustainable. Within this program, the tram plays a central role, as it is one of the region’s most heavily used routes.
Technically, the new vehicles are based on the tried-and-tested Citadis platform, but have been specially adapted for the metre-gauge network in Lille. It is worth noting that this is the first Citadis tram in the metre-gauge version, 26 years after the launch of Alstom’s Citadis platform. In terms of design and vehicle configuration, they correspond to the latest Citadis 405 deliveries for Nantes, Strasbourg and Paris Seine-Saint-Denis (Line T1), which, although all standard-gauge, are also fitted with bogies on the end cars. Nantes and Strasbourg are seven-car variants whereas the Paris T1 tram is also a five-car variant as Lille.
The new trams are based on the Citadis platform but have been specifically adapted for Lille’s metre-gauge infrastructure, making them a relatively uncommon variant within the otherwise largely standard-gauge Citadis family. Each vehicle measures around 32.4 m in length and 2.40 m in width, with a passenger capacity of roughly 196. The fully low-floor design ensures step-free access throughout, while the interior layout has been optimised to provide wider circulation areas and improved passenger flow compared with the outgoing fleet. Large multi-purpose areas, modern passenger information systems, air-conditioning and enhanced onboard security features reflect current expectations for urban light rail vehicles.
Beyond passenger comfort, the new fleet is expected to deliver a tangible increase in capacity of around 20%, a crucial improvement on a network where peak-hour demand has long exceeded available space. This is particularly evident on the central section between Lille Flandres and Romarin, where the tramway operates at high frequency and regularly experiences crowding.
The introduction of the Citadis trams is closely tied to the ongoing renewal of the historic ‘Mongy’ tramway, which connects Lille with Roubaix and Tourcoing over a network of approximately 18 km. Opened in 1909, the system is one of the oldest surviving interurban tramways in France and remains a distinctive element of the region’s transport landscape. Its largely segregated alignment, often running along wide boulevards, has allowed it to retain high commercial speeds and a strong role in daily commuting patterns.
Modernisation efforts are therefore focused not only on rolling stock replacement but also on safeguarding the long-term viability of the infrastructure. The arrival of the new trams is intended to future-proof operations, improve reliability and accessibility, and create the conditions for potential service enhancements or network extensions. At the same time, the project illustrates a broader trend in French cities towards reinvesting in legacy tramway corridors as high-capacity, sustainable transport axes.
With the first vehicle now delivered and testing set to begin, Lille is entering a transition phase that will culminate in the complete renewal of its tram fleet by 2026. In doing so, the Métropole Européenne de Lille is reinforcing the role of the ‘Mongy’ as a backbone of its public transport system, combining historical infrastructure with contemporary rolling stock technology.
You can watch a video of the new tram being delivered here:
