Improvements to the bus and tram networks in Caen

Viacités is the Passenger Transport Management Authority for the 29 communes in the conurbation of Caen la mer. It is a mixed body consisting of representatives of the conurbation of Caen la mer and of the ‘Conseil Général of Calvados’ (Calvados area’s local Council). In an interview for Intelligent Transport, Mr. Eric Vève, President of Viacités, speaks about the bus and tram network and how recent investments are ensuring the transportation system continues to operate successfully.

Viacités

Viacités runs the Twisto network, which is the tramway and bus network, but also runs the Mobisto network, which is the service specially adapted for people with reduced mobility.

The network is responsive to follow as closely as possible the expectations and the needs of the transport users. Concerning this matter, Viacités has recently decided to make improvements to the bus network. The elected representatives are presently reconsidering the future of Line 1, of public transport on dedicated roadways and also the creation of a second line.

A new bus network in September 2009

Major improvements coming from consultation with the public

Arising from the new governance of Viacités, there have been 44 consultation meetings and 10 report meetings – the outcome being the decision for a new transportation network. It will have an extra 900,000km and a social and pricing rate card, enabling an improved service to meet passenger demands and to encourage new users onto the public transport network.

Caen la mer ‘eco-exemplary’

With the commissioning of the new bus network in September 2009, the Caen la mer conurbation has shown the greatest increase of such a network in France since the last local election. It will bring an increase of 900,000 extra kilometres, an increase in the range of hours, better frequency on week day routes, on Sundays and on bank holidays and the introduction of new bus services with more direct lines.

The building of the new network required hard work as all routes had to be analysed. When it was time to decide, the elected body of Viacités preferred not to limit themselves to a ‘commune’ to ‘commune’ approach.

“We set objectives and standards of choice on the scale of the whole conurbation,” explained Eric Vève. “We pursued many objectives, among them concerning the performance of the network, also an improvement of structuring lines, a reinforcement of offers for employees and also improved access to the network for people with reduced mobility”.

Support, economics and employment

“New lines will be put into service next September and thus 7,810,000km will be covered by buses. The increase in transport requires a further need for staff within the KEOLIS Company,” said Mr. Vève. “Consequently, approximately 60 jobs will be created. As some bus drivers are retiring, 80 unemployed people are being recruited or are being trained. In a difficult economic context, we are making a contribution to the economic and employment boost,” continued Mr. Vève. “Firstly, they will benefit from training financed by the Regional Council of Lower Normandy, and secondly, from a sustainable job in public transport within the Caen-area conurbation. Thus, Viacités is leading the way in making a valuable social contribution, during this time of crisis in employment.”

A €5 million investment

“In order to offer a high quality service to the users of public transport, which is comfortable and modern, Viacités developed a scheme of bus renewal. Each year, we invest in a dozen new vehicles,” explained Mr. Vève. “During the spring, we bought nine ‘bendy’ buses and two standard buses. By the end of the year, seven other buses will join the fleet, consisting of 157 vehicles, 24 tramway vehicles, as well as 10 extra buses for the increase of the new network of September 2009. This will represent an investment of €5 million for the community. Therefore, Viacités is carrying out several projects in favour of economic and social activity. It is worth noting that vehicles are equipped with engines to the EEV1, which is higher than the European Environmental Standard. All new vehicles are equipped with a lowered floor and electric handrail in order to facilitate access for persons of reduced mobility, and also for voice announcements.”

A more accessible network

Mr. Vève explained: “The step-free access platform is at the same level as the tram or bus doors and allows easy access for all users of public transport – for example, for people in wheel chairs or those having difficulties in travelling and also parents with pushchairs. 27.4% out of the 1,082 stops on the network are already equipped, including all the stations on tramway Line A and B. In order to speed up their construction at bus stops, Viacités has made a five fold increase in its investment this year over the amount which was already been dedicated. This was adopted on 25th March, with a credit of €1,000,000 planned in the 2009 budget for the construction of hundreds of free-access platforms. A plan has been established. The expectations of transport users and requirements of the elected people have been taken into consideration for the choice of bus stops.”

The tramway line

“The first public transport line with a dedicated roadway is the North/South line with two axes A & B, combining high frequency, punctuality, comfort and rapidity,” stated Eric Vève. “It was constructed in November 2002 and covers over 15.7km and serves 34 stations. The tramway offers a frequency of 4 to 5 minutes at peak hours on the main line and 9 minutes on the northern and southern branches. Powered by electric energy, it is a non-polluting method of travel. The tramway records an average of 43,000 ticket validations each day.”

Mr. Vève continued: “Even though the Caen conurbation tramway follows the railway concept, tramway vehicles are equipped with tyres, enabling them to negotiate significant slopes, giving greater comfort and a safer braking system. The equipment manufacturer, Bombardier, provided the same type of tramway, in Nancy. This technical choice enabled using the existing bus depot and so avoiding construction of a new building.”

What is the future of the tramway in Caen?

“With about 43,000 journeys per day,” replied Eric Vève, “the tramway is a victim of its success – especially during peak hours. In order to address the issue of saturation and the need to extend Line 1 towards the north and south of the conurbation, we will consider buying extra tramway vehicles. But this is not the only solution.”

“For many years, the transport users of the tramway have suffered at peak hours,” said Mr. Vève. “This issue is regularly raised at the public consultation meetings organised by Viacités. With 43,000 journeys per day, the tramways represent almost half the demand for public transport across the whole conurbation. There are technical reasons which exacerbate the problem. Twenty-four tramway vehicles were bought by Viacités. Twenty-one are in daily service, but because of vandalism and issues concerning TVR reliability, about 18 tramway vehicles circulate on average.” Eric Vève added: “We will need four extra tramway vehicles to resolve the issue of saturation and another six within the extension of Line 1 towards the north and south of the conurbation.”

“A Chairman who intends to separate the extensions of Line 1 which could be done using the same technical mode as at present, from the construction of Line 2 (east-west) which could possibly be done by using high service level buses (HSLB) The choice of HSLB for Line 2, using rolling stock which for instance can be found in Nantes, with Busway, or in Rouen with Téor, has gradually been established as the main priority, moreover since surveys are predicting a potential 50% usage of the east west line compared to current use of Line 1 (north-south).”

A need for 10 extra trains

Eric Vève explained that, “Financing the purchase of 10 extra tramway vehicles is not the only problem. The tramway uses Bombardier pneumatic tyres and only operates in the city of Caen and Nancy and the Bombardier company has stopped manufacturing and marketing this product. The manufacturer has informed us that the tramway vehicles could be manufactured again, but with a minimum production of 20 for reasonable costs, meaning 10 more than is needed.”

“Before this review and the initiative to improve the service offered to the public users of the transport network, the Chairman and the elected board of Viacités have considered all the options and hereby present five possible scenarios:

1. Negotiate with Bombardier to reduce the number of tramway vehicles manufactured to less than 20 units. In compensation, Viacités could then support one part of the maintenance costs which turned out to be higher than the initial budget and which currently puts pressure on the concessionary operators
2. To join other French or foreign conurbations so as to place a joint order of 20 tramway vehicles
3. Transfer the contract of STVR (Société de Transport sur Voie Réservée) which runs the current fleet, to another equipment manufacturer which either could use the Bombardier tramway vehicles, or replace them with others, or use a joint system consisting of two types of tramway vehicles. However, no longer using the Bombardier system and introducing a new system would involve a new, disproportionate investment of almost €150 million. Furthermore, such a scenario will require the agreement of the concessionary operators, the STVR and KEOLIS
4. The Nancy conurbation has recently announced that decisions on the future of the tramway on tyres (quasi identical to the one of Caen) would be taken at the end of 2013 after a period of observation. If the city of Nancy will not use its trains any longer after 2013, Viacités could consider purchasing about 10 tramway vehicles from them in order to reinforce Line 1 and its extensions
5. Consider using buses to and from the extensions of Line 1: services using branch lines, constructing a corridor of bus only lanes, or routes reserved for buses…”

Lines with high level of service

Until final choices are made regarding the extensions of Line1 and the construction of Line 2, Mr. Eric Vève intends to find solutions to improve the service provided on Line 1, even if they are temporary. “Whether we choose the purchase of new tramway vehicles, or if possible, the purchase of a surplus from Nancy, they would not be in service for another four or five years,” explained Mr. Vève. “Until now, we are studying the possibility of extending Line 1 towards the northern part or southern part of the conurbation with the setting up of tramway only corridors and high level service lines. If the fifth scenario is adopted and the current tramway vehicle is not used, buses will have to be used for the extensions.”

Viacités has given itself a target of one year to study in more depth the various scenarios, with the concessionary operators.

The Line 2 project

Whereas the first tramway route has a dedicated roadway, i.e., the north/south axis mainly serving schools and students, the second line on the east/west axis will be more orientated toward the zones of major employment. The discussion concerning Line 2 seems to be directed towards a high level of bus service. The financing of this line is being studied and Viacités has given itself a one year target concerning the mode of transport and the deadline to carry out the project.

Reference

1. Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle