(France )TOULOUSE-B

Images kindly supplied by TISSEO (Copyright © Schneider/Saada). (Thanks)
Carmes	Empalot	Saint Michel

Toulouse
In Toulouse the first line (line A) of the automated metro network opened in 1993, with a radial route from Basso Cambo to Jolimont (recently extended up to Balma Gramont); a second line (line B, from Ramonville Buchens to Borderouge) opened in 2007, interchanging with Line A in the city centre at Jean-Jaures.
Line A is connected with the surface railway system in Arenes and Marengo;there are two important parking areas near the terminus (Balma Gramont - strictly connected with a commercial centre - and Basso Cambo), besides another parking area located near the elder terminus of Jolimont. 5 stations have been initially built with short platforms due to economical reasons, but the increasing of the ridership has determined their lengthening (predicted completion: 2012) to the normal standard suitable for a 4 carriage train configuration.
Line B interchanges with the surface railway system at Saint Agne; two parkings are located near the 2 terminus (Borderouge and Ramonville), other intermediate interchange areas are near Carmes, Compans Caffarelli and Saint Michel stops. A southern extension (from Ramonville to Labege-Innopole, 5 km on viaduct passing over Canal du Midi and A61 motorway) should be completed in 2013.
The transport network is completed by a tramway line (line T1), opened on December 2010. T1 runs north-south from Garossos to Arenes (11 km), serving important areas such as Arenes (interchange with metro Line A), Cepiere (where it's located the so-called Zenith theatre), Cartoucheire, Purpan (where it's located an important hospital), Blagnac historical center, Ritouret, Grand-Noble (where it's located the so-called Odyssud cultural center) and Andromede.Two extensions are expected to be opened in 2013: an eastern section towards Grand Rond park and a northern extension towards Toulouse-Blagnac Airport.
TISSEO(official site)

CHRONOLOGY
30-06-2007	Borderouge-Ramonville

Country	France
Line	Line B
Inhabitants	City 400.000, District 965.000
Date opening	2007
Future development:	southern extension Ramonville-Labege Innopole
Length (km)	15.8
Track sections	underground km 15.8
Stops	20 underground, average distance m 790
Platforms	--
Platform doors	yes
General characteristics	length m 52; width m 17
n. of vehicles	47
n. of cars per vehicle	2
Type	rubber tyres
Vehicle dimensions (m)	length 26 - width 2.08
Vehicle capacity (pax)	158 (4 pax/m2); 208 (6 pax/m2)
Frequency	1.6/4 min
Current/Voltage	--
Type of guide/gauge	standard gauge (1435 mm) steel tracks with lateral guide bars
Speed Km/h	Comm. 32, Max 80
Accel./Decel. (m/sec2)	1.3/1.3
System capacity	7.500 pphpd
Ridership	150.000 pax/day
Total cost	65 M Euro/km
Staff	--
System builder	SIEMENS
Model	VAL 208
NOTE	--