The spa towns of Bayonne and Biarritz in the French Basque Country on the Atlantic coast are connected by “Tram’bus”, a new full electric BRT system, in the country called bus à haut niveau de service (BHNS) – a bus with a high level of service. 10 full-electric articulated buses from Irizar in Spain provide the service.
The new Tram’bus has been operating since 2 September 2019. This high-service bus (BHNS) operated by Keolis Group connects Bayonne to Biarritz in 30 minutes. Public transport on the route benefits from reserved lanes and priority at intersections.
This 12 km line with 28 intermediate stops serves some the main points of interest in the area including shopping areas and sports and event locations.
Ten 100% electric buses
This new service labelled T1 is operated with ten 100% electric buses. Built by Spanish Irizar, model “ie tram”, they are 18 m long – the total passenger capacity is 150, thereof 49 seated. The “ie trams” have pantographs mounted on the roof top of the vehicle for 5 minutes fast charging on either end of the line which allow for approximately 40 km travel. Overnight plug-in charging is done at the depot. Motor power is 235 kW. The LTO (Lithium Titanate Oxide) batteries have a total capacity of 150 kWh.
This fleet will soon be supplemented by 8 additonal vehicles of the same type destined to operate a second BHNS line in 2020. This line will operate between Bayonne and Tarnos.
