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April 28, Nice chose a tram on iron and not on tire as it considered it.
The first line could open fine 2004 at the beginning of 2005.
In fifteen years, Nice intends to catch up with the fifteen years of delay accumulated as regards public transport! Its tram - more than 37 km of lines in three phases displays an ambitious objective. Dice the first stage, the share of market of public transport should pass from 11 % to 25 or 30 %! «North in the south, the three large axes represent 80 000 displacements per day exposes Domenica Monjeau, mayor-assistant in charge of transport and from circulation, the use of the car will be dissuaded by grinds forced and we will offer 1 600 parking spaces. »
Other argument cause a drop in the share of the car (83 % of displacements):
since the north of the city until the Masséna place, the 5 km take three fifteen minutes in the car, 17 minutes will be enough in tram. «The frequentation would pass from 2 600 people per hour and direction to the startup, to 4 900 the following year », predicted Domenica Monleau. The capacity of tram on tire, first mode considered, would not have there is enough.
Even if a long debate preceded the unanimous vote by the elected officials, several criteria were determining in the choice of iron. Initially, the possibility of a tram-train, because «the interconnection with the rail network is not envisaged but it is unthinkable not to consider it over fifteen years ».
Then, the technological risk dissuaded Nice to choose the TVR or Translohr, the elected officials fearing with the laws the times of development, perenniality in the absence of commands in a number and the little of competitors, being able to lead to an unfruitful invitation to tender.
April 28, the town council also retained the layout of the «most direct line 1 for an optimal performance »and requiring less land acquisitions. This fact a very commercial artery was forsaken with the profile of a new opening dedicated to tram. The summary phase of preliminary draft can thus start. Objective: a vote with the re-entry.
For the first phase, the investment, of 1,2 billion francs for the platform the tram, a score of oars, the urban developments of frontage with frontage and 4 carparks of folding back, will be financed with height of 50 % per loan. Being based on the registers of dialogue, Domenica Monleau estimates that «nearly 90 % of Niçois understood that tram is the solution ». The final studies should begin in one year for the declaration from public utility.
Between the two, «a detail »; local elections.

Cecile NANGERONI LVDR of 10-may-00

Three phases for a project
1). At the end of 2004 - at the beginning of 2005. Brought into service of a line of 8,5 km tram north-south-is as of a bus in exclusive right of way on 11,5 km (6 km already exist) on an axis parallel with the Promenade des Anglais. Crossing of the 2 lines with Masséna. Beginning of work envisaged into 2002.

2). 2007. Transformation of the line of bus in tram and prolongation in the west towards Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-mer (6 km).

3). 2015. Extension of line 1 to the east towards the district of the ARIANE and the Trinité sur Mer (3 km). Creation of a third North-South line of 8,5 km and of a pole of exchange at the western entry of Nice.