Title: LIGHT RAIL THE KEY TO MOBILITY IN MARSEILLE
Abstract: This article discusses the present situation and future development of public transport in the French city of Marseille; it includes a map of its existing tram and metro lines. Marseille now has 1.3M inhabitants, and has rapidly grown into a vast suburban sprawl. Walking and cycling have become impracticable, and car-driving has become a nerve-consuming waste of energy. 70 bus routes and three trolleybus routes do not provide sufficient public transport, so that two metro lines were added; the first opened in 1977 and the second in 1984. There is also a very popular short tram line in the city centre. Even though the metro and tram lines close at 21.00 each day, probably due to safety problems, they have a very high ridership. In December 1995, the city council presented its long-term urban transport strategy. In November 1997, it approved an enhanced version of this plan, TSCP, which aims to create a complete rail network for the city, including 25km of new light rail lines. The French Government is now studying the plan, and is expected to subsidise it. Technical studies began in February 1999, construction will begin in 2001, and the first new lines will open in 2003-2004, after which more lines will be added in stages. At least some of the trams may be powered by a third rail, using a system now being tested.
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-12-01
Language: en
Type: article
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