Nicknamed “Jurassic Tram”, the T1 tram is finally getting a facelift in Seine-Saint-Denis

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“It is wider, more beautiful … it's much better than the other”. A smile to the ears, a traveler rushes into the brand new row of the tramway T1 at the Saint-Denis station stop. Her carriage of hand races, she covers an appreciating look the immaculate interior of the new Tw20 train, designed by Alstom. “It's very very good, nobody is going to say no to that!” She laughs. The first trip of the new tram attracted the crowds this Tuesday, December 10, 2024. “It's very clean, it's nickel”, appreciates Sako, who is used to borrowing the T1 several times a week to go to His brother.

“In a few seconds, we changed times”

With its enlarged doors, its spacious spaces, its colored seats, its modernized lights, the newcomer contrasts singularly with its ancient elder, the oldest tram in Île-de-France. ” It is A really damaged linebut which serves us a lot. I use it to reach shops, the Saint-Denis market… ”Relays Assa. It was time for the new generation to arrive, maliciously retraces Stéphane Troussel, the president of the department of Seine-Saint-Denis. “The old tram had aged so much that the inhabitants used to call it” Jurassic tram “. In a few seconds, we changed times. With these new oars, the inhabitants will feel respected. »»

After seven long years of waiting – the project was launched in 2018 – the regeneration of the T1 is therefore, finally, on the march. 300 million euros Were invested by Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM) on this long-term project, called to become a “backbone of the Ile-de-France tram”, describes its president Valérie Pécresse. This Tuesday, December 10, twelve new trains were injected in several places on the line to replace part of the TFS – for standard French tramway -, after 32 years of good and loyal service.

A renewal full of symbol, moves Jean Castex, the CEO of the RATP. “In 1920 there were more trams than bus. Then they were all removed. T1 was the first line to mark its rebirth in 1992. These trams were the age of their arteries. It was suffering for our travelers. The new trains will provide additional comfort. Especially since we took the opportunity to redo all the existing stations. It is a deep renovation, a new start ».

Improved comfort

Each month, three new trams will be added to the network. By August 2025, 37 new oars will have fully replaced the existing 35s. Punctuality will be improved, with tram passages every four minutes against five currently.

Longer and wide, new trains can accommodate Up to 200 travelers15 % more than old wagons. 100 % accessible to people with reduced mobility, they are equipped with larger doors to streamline the entrance and exit of travelers.

Air -conditioned, with USB ports and modernized information screens, the new ones are also adorned with innovative technologiesboast operators. A speed control system in the curves or even an “anti-training of travelers” device when closing the stations have been installed. Finally, the trains are equipped with video protection camera on board.

Current extension work

With its 170,000 travelers per day, the mostly borrowed line in the network operated by the RATP will still grow. 28 other trains were ordered by IDFM in Alstom in anticipation of upcoming extensions.

Today connecting Asnières-sur-Seine to Noisy-le-Sec station after having already known four extensions, the T1 line will postpone its terminus is until Montreuil In 2027, then Val-de-Fontenay (Fontenay-sous-BoisVal-de-Marne) by 2029. 230,000 travelers should borrow it on this date. In a second step, the line will be extended in the Hauts-de-Seine, until Doves Then Rueil-Malmaison. Studies are underway.

The substantial work continues, resulting in important traffic interruptions Until the end of March 2025 between Bobigny and Noisy-le-Sec.

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