Atac, the Italian public transport company, has announced the award of a framework contract for the acquisition of 121 double-ended trams worth over 457 million euros.
The contract includes an initial delivery phase comprising the first 40 trams.
The construction of these trams will be carried out by the company CAF, which has previously collaborated on the modernization of the Rome metro train fleet.
The new trams will have a length of 33.5 meters and will be capable of carrying up to 215 passengers, with 68 seats and two spaces reserved for passengers with disabilities.
Furthermore, they will be equipped with air conditioning, video surveillance systems, public announcement systems, passenger counters, as well as a pedestrian collision alert system.
These trams will also have space for traction batteries, allowing them to operate autonomously without the need for overhead power lines.
This initiative will enable the renewal of a fleet of approximately 200 trams, some of which date back to the 1940s.
The purchase of these new trams from CAF aims to replace older trams that still have high floors and lack air conditioning.
According to the Mobility Councillor of Rome Capitale, Eugenio Patanè, this investment represents a historic step after nearly two decades.
The new trams will incorporate innovative technology, be aesthetically suitable for the city of Rome, and offer greater capacity and performance.
Additionally, they will be able to operate without an electrical network on some routes, reducing noise and enabling maneuverability in tighter spaces.
Patanè also highlighted that some of the older trams will be restored and allocated to the Archeotram line as part of the project for the new central archaeological area of the city.