France: Citadis Compact Unique Design Unveiled to the Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Etoile

July 1, 2013
Magali Giovannangeli, Chairperson of the Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Etoile, together with artist Hervé Di Rosa and Alstom Transport Design&Styling Director Xavier Allard, unveiled the design and livery of Alstom’s first Citadis Compact.

Magali Giovannangeli, Chairperson of the Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Etoile, together with artist Hervé Di Rosa and Alstom Transport Design&Styling Director Xavier Allard, unveiled the design and livery of Alstom’s first Citadis Compact. The first tram - out of eight ordered in October 2011 - is currently being manufactured at the La Rochelle manufacturing site where it will be tested this summer.

The Aubagne Citadis Compact is a work of art which results from a collaboration between Hervé Di Rosa and Alstom Transport’s Design&Styling department, not to forget the conurbation’s children who were also involved in the creative work. Hervé Di Rosa’s contribution has turned it into a one-of-a-kind tram featuring adornments that are warm, colourful and decidedly human. In addition, its rounded design expresses a feeling that is all lightness and softness. The residents of Aubagne will discover this design in real life in February 2014, when the first trainset is to be delivered.

The 22-metre-long Citadis Compact which can hold up to 130 passengers meets efficiently mobility requirements in intermediate-sized conurbations.

Six out of the 10 Alstom facilities in France are working on the Aubagne Citadis tram: La Rochelle where the tram is designed and manufactured, Ornans (motors), Le Creusot (bogies), Tarbes (electrical and electronic equipment for the traction systems), Villeurbanne (on-board electronics and passenger information) and Saint-Ouen (design).