The 3D animations for imagining the Tramway circulating in the avenues of Nice are over. On Friday, late in the morning, the real tram with its own electrical power crossed the azure capital. It was a test of crossing Masséna and Garibaldi Squares with a system of autonomous batteries and without overhead electrical lines.
It did not stop at Square Boyer. The residents of Nice Nord gave up on Friday morning the exclusivity of seeing the Nice Tramway circulate. All the citizens of Nice benefited from it up to the Place Armée du Rhin. This first was greeted with applause from the onlookers and undisguised satisfaction from Nice’s Senator Mayor and President of the CANCA Jacques Peyrat. Accompanied by representatives of the CANCA and the Tramway, he crossed Place Masséna inside the tram powered by an autonomous battery system.
This system prevents Masséna and Garibaldi Squares, historical sites of Nice, from being marred by poles and electrical lines. No one will complain about that! This autonomous battery technology, manufactured by SAFT for Alstom, is a world first for Citadis-type rail vehicles. The onboard autonomy makes it possible to cross distances less than 500 meters, using a nickel/metal type battery system.
The people of Nice and tourists watching the tram circulate on Friday were mostly unaware of the technical aspects. Many analyzed the event as another sign of the end of the endless works and the disruptions they have caused in their daily lives. Courage people of Nice! It’s almost over…
