EIB funds tramway for French green city

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is to provide €70 million in financing for the construction of the first tramline for Besançon, France.

The EIB loan will part-fund the construction of the first 14.5km Exclusive Lane Public Transport (ELPT) tramline serving 31 stations, as well as the acquisition of 19 trams and the construction of a maintenance/sidings centre and five park-and-ride facilities. The total investment cost for the project is valued at €228 million.

The tramway's capacity will be 1,200 passengers/hour in each direction and it is expected to reach a capacity of 46,500 journeys/day by 2015.