Brussels, 08/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank, the STIF (the authority that organises public transport in Ile-de-France), the RATP (Régie autonome des transports parisiens), and the different entities of the banking group BPCE (Caisse d'Epargne Ile-de-France, Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes, Crédit Foncier de France, Natixis, Ingepar) presented, on Monday 7 November, a leasing contract of €378 million to finance the new tramway in Ile-de-France T3, T5, T6, T7 and T8.
This innovative financial rig-up amounts to an overall €378 million over 33 years. Funding takes the form of two structured leasing contracts, allowing 107 tramway lines to be financed over that period. Refinancing will be assured up to €300 million via a long-term loan on EIB resources, granted to Crédit Foncier de France. The balance is granted by Crédit Foncier de France, the Caisse d'Epargne Ile-de-France, and the Caisse d'Epargne Rhöne Alpes. The STIF has set the framework for negotiation of the leasing and finances the material of which it will become the owner in line with ORTF law.
The delivery of tramways began this month (15 for the T5) and will continue until 2014. It also concerns 25 lines for the T3, 28 for the T6, 19 for the T7 and 20 for the T8, i.e. 107 new vehicles. On the occasion of the presentation of the financial agreement concluded on Monday, the designs of vehicles for the new tramway lines were unveiled. Each line receives special treatment, so that its own particular identity is conferred upon it, in connection with the territory crossed and in order to be coherent with the regional aspect of public transport.
Today, 4 tramway lines are in service in Ile-de-France. They are used daily by 370,000 people, covering 41.4 km and 71 stations. Tomorrow, with the extension of the T1, T2 and T3 and the placing into service of the T5, T6, T7 and T8, 830,500 users will take the tramway everyday, over 105.3 km and 187 stations. The EIB states in a press release that this determined policy to extend the tramway network is an illustration of the development of suburb to suburb links advocated by the STIF in order to adjust its services to the needs of those living in Ile-de-France. (OL/transl.jl)