Caen Guided Light Transit

"This article is about the new guided bus system in Caen, for information about the Tramway de Caen, see Tramway de Caen."The Caen Guided Light Transit or TVR is a guided bus system in Caen, France. After a construction time lasting three years, the guided bus system opened on 18 November 2002 at a total cost of 190 million euros. The Caen bus company "Twisto" (CTAC) is the current operator of the guided bus system.

It was in 1988 that the SMTCAC ("Syndicat Mixte des Transports en Commun de l'Agglomération Caennaise") first considered a large-scale public transport. The opening of the bus system was not without problems. As well as a lack of interest in the system by the population with only 23% backing the projectSource: Ouest-France, [http://www.ouest-france.fr website] , in 1994, Viacités, one of the guided bus' network partners closed a contract with the consortium STVR ("Société the transport sur Voie Réservée"), existing construction company Spie Batignolles and Bombardier Transportation proceeded with infrastructure and vehicle construction. Due to financial contracts the municipality had no other choice but to push the project forward despite a relative lobby against the "tram".

24 three-car guided buses run the line and are guided by a central non supporting rail. Traction is electric and is transmitted to without tyre wheels whilst power is drawn from a catenary through a pantograph.

Network

The total network is 15.7 kilometres long and is formed of one line with two variants. The central section, between "Copernic" and "Poincaré" is 5.7 kilometres long and possesses 15 stops. The entire network serves a total of 34 stops. There are plans for a second line running from East to West.

The "tram" current serves 40% of the public transport trips, 70 000 inhabitants and 60 000 jobs situated within 400m of the line.

Service frequency is high (3.5/7 minutes between buses) and operates between 5h30 and 00h30. Speed is 30% higher than conventional buses and stops never 450m apart.

Construction

*D-850 (April 2000): Beginning of construction.
*D-730 (15 September 2000): Beginning of trackbed construction.
*D-120 (May 2002): Rolling stock tests.
*D-60 (15 July 2002): First test run.
*"D" Day (15 September 2002): Beginning of commercial operation.

Rolling stock

Service is provided by Bombardier single-cab GLT guided buses. A whole bus measures 24.5m in length, 3.40m in height and weights 38tons. Top speed is of 70km/h and buses are designed for slow 25km/h travel.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.caen.maville.com/htm/dossiers/tram/accueil.html Guided bus dossier]