(France )LYON-T2

Lyon
Lyon (1 million inhabitants) is the second most populated town in France. Its transports network consists in 3 traditional metro lines (A, B, C) plus an automated metro line (D); the system is completed by modern tram lines (T1, T2, T3/LEA, T4 and RHONEXPRESS) and by an important regional railway net.
The radial Line D has a crucial role with its connections to the older metro lines (in Bellecour it interchanges with Line A, in Saxe-Gambetta with Line B) and to the tramway system (in Guillotiere with Line T1, in Grange-Blanche with T2). The first section of Line D (Gorge de Loup-Grange Blanche) opened in 1991; in 1992 the extension to Gare de Venissieux sterted its service, followed in 1997 by the western extension Gorge de Loup-Gare de Vaise. Actually the track is 13 km long (with 15 stops), totally underground. Among the most important connections assured by Line D, the two main railways stations (Perrache and Part Dieu) may be mentioned; they are also served by T1 tram line. Another important interchange point will be assured by T4 at Gare de Venissieux. All stops have an electric protection system, with sensors to detect the presence of obstacles or other in the tracks, instead of platform doors.
The first 2 tramway lines (T1, T2) opened in 2001; they both follow radial routes, with many interchanges point with metro system. T1 connects the city center to the La Doua universitary district (north east), serving also SNFC railway station and Part Dieu business center. T1 was extended in 2005; a further extensions towards Musee des Confluences is currently under construction, while another northern extension towards Debourg is planned. T2 links the city center, the suburb of Bron, Port des Alpes commercial area and Part Dieu business Center. T2 was extended in 2003; an intermediate branch (Lez Aziles-Eurexpo) is currently planned.
A periurban tramway line called LEA (acronimous of Ligne de l'Est de l'Agglomeration) or T3 opened on 4 December 2006 . LEA runs along the eastern side of Grand Lyon metropolitan area, connecting Lyon Part Dieu to Meyzieu and passing through Lyon, Villeurbanne, Vaulx-en-Velin, Decines and Meyzieu municipalities. The track is characterized by many intermodal connections: with railways and T1 tramway line (Part Dieu stop), metro Line A (at La Soie stop, new Line A eastern terminal since 2007) and buses. It's expected an extension towards Grand Stade.
Another LRT line opened along the same T3/LEA alignement on 9 August 2010: the so-called RONHEXPRESS (former LESLYS/Liaison Express Lyon Saint-Exupery) connects Part Dieu railway station to St. Exupery airport, with 2 intermediate stops (La Soie, Meyzieu).
The first phase of a fourth tram line (T4) opened on April 2009 goings from Cliniques Feyzin to Jet Eau Mendes France with interchange stops at Jet Eau Mendes France (T2) and Gare de Venisseaux (metro D). T4 will be extended in phase 2 towards Part Dieu (interchange with T1, T3-LEA and Leslys) on new tracks and from there to Iut-Feyssine along T1 alignement.
Tcl (official site)

CHRONOLOGY
02-01-2001	Perrache - Porte des Alpes
27-10-2003	Porte des Alpes-Bel Air

Country	France
Line	T2
Inhabitants	City 435.000 District 1.650.000
Date opening	2001
Future development:	new intermediate branch: Lez Aziles-Eurexpo
Length (km)	14.9
Track sections	in reserved laned out of the city center, mixed road traffic sections in the city center
Stops	29 average distance 500 m
Platforms	--
Platform doors	--
general characteristics	--
n. of vehicles	39
n. of cars per vehicle	5
Type	steel wheels bi-directional
Vehicle dimensions (m)	length 32.4, width 2.40
Vehicle capacity (pax)	200 (58 seated)
Frequency	3'/7'
Current/Voltage	750 V DC overhead
Guide/gauge	standard gauge rails (1435 mm)
Speed Km/h	Comm. 35, Max 70
Accel./Decel. (m/sec2)	--
System capacity	5.000 pphpd
Ridership	21 millions pax/year
Total cost	16.5 M Euro/km
Staff	--
System builder	ALSTOM
Model	Citadis 300
NOTE	rolling stock in common with T2 cost referred to T1+T2 (initial phase)