Tramways in Paris
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Tram on line T2 in Issy-les-Moulineaux
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| Overview | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Native name | Tramways d'Île-de-France | ||
| Locale | Paris, Île-de-France, France | ||
| Transit type | Light rail tram | ||
| Number of lines | 9 | ||
| Number of stations | 186 | ||
| Operation | |||
| Began operation | 1992 | ||
| Operator(s) | RATP / SNCF | ||
| Technical | |||
| System length | 104.7 km (65.1 mi) | ||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge for conventional lines | ||
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The Île-de-France tramways (French: Tramways d'Île-de-France) consists of a network of modern tram lines in the Île-de-France region of France. Nine lines are currently operational (counting Lines 3a and 3b as separate lines), with extensions and additional lines in the planning and construction stage.
Although the system mainly runs in the suburban regions of Paris, lines T3a and T3b run entirely within Paris city limits, and line T2 also does so for part of its route. While the lines operate independently of each other and are generally unconnected, some connections do exist: between lines T2 and T3a, T3a and T3b, T1 and T5 (opened in 2013) and T1 and T8 (opened in 2014). However, the final design of the entire planned tram network is fairly integrated.
Almost all lines are operated by the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), which also operates the Paris Métro and most bus services in the Paris area. Furthermore, while most lines use conventional steel-wheel rolling stock, two lines (T5 and T6) use rubber-tired trams. Moreover, line T4, which uses tram-train technology, is operated by the French national rail operator SNCF as part of its Transilien regional rail network.
From 1855 to 1938, Paris was served by an extensive tramway network, predating the metro by nearly a half-century. In 1925 the network had a 1111 km length, with 122 lines. In the 1930s, the oil and automobile industry lobbies put pressure on the Paris Police Prefecture to remove tram tracks to make room for cars. The last of these first generation tram lines in Paris, Porte de Saint-Cloud to Porte de Vincennes, was closed in 1937, and the last line in the entire Paris agglomeration, running between Le Raincy and Montfermeil, ended its service on 14 August 1938.
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