2. Rolling stock design

2.1 Dimensional characteristics

In 1975, a working group was set up in France to define the dimensions of a future standard French tramway that could accommodate most existing networks. The overall width of the car body was set at 2.30 m, to provide 1 + 2 seats abreast, on either side of a 0.80 m wide aisle.

This was the basis for the first version of the standard French tramway, 45 of which were built for Nantes from 1984 onwards. Grenoble's low-floor tramway, introduced in 1987, had similar interior dimensions.

As customer numbers grew rapidly, the capacity of this equipment soon proved insufficient. For a time, Nantes trains were operated in multiple units, and were lengthened by the addition of a partially low-floor intermediate body...