Location: 220 km. west of Paris
Founded: 1060
Population: 109 899 (2008)

A city in the west of France, 15 km. inland from the English Channel. While Caen proper has a population of 109 899, the metropolitan area boasts 388 568 residents. Most of historic buildings in the city were destroyed in heavy fighting during the World War II. There is an impressive castle in the heart of the city. The geography of the city provides for some steep grades for many streets radiating from the city center.

The modern version of what is now referred to in Caen as “tram” is actually a rubber tired installation with vehicles being guided by a single steel rail. The Guided Light Transit (GLT) technology is applied and installed by Bombardier. A single guidance rail is provided for revenue segments only. The guidance rail does not reach the depot, which is located some distance away from the revenue lines. While in passenger service the GLT vehicles operate under electric power in guided mode while being attached to the guidance rail, whereas on depot runs the vehicles detach from the guidance rail and operate as conventional diesel buses in unguided mode. While in revenue service, the electric power is supplied via the guidance rail and via a single overhead wire. The vehicles are equipped with a tram-style pantograph to collect power. The vehicles are equipped with diesel engines to reach the depot in unguided mode. There are small segments of guidance rail near attachment ports that are not supplied with the overhead, and where vehicles operate in diesel mode while being guided.

The opening of the GLT system in Caen followed the implementation of the similar GLT system in the French city of Nancy two years earlier. The project in Nancy was plagued by technical problems, and contributed to a degree of reluctance toward the technology in Caen. The installation in Caen, however, had to go as scheduled due to contractual obligations.

After 9 years in operation the decision was made in 09.2011 to close the system in Caen down due to multiple technological problems related to the GLT technology. On 14.12.2011 the local transportation council decided that the current system will be replaced with a conventional tramway system by 2018.

The system is technically an interurban installation, as the lines cross into the suburban town of Herouville Saint-Clair in the north, and the town of Ifs in the south.

Length of revenue lines: 15,7 km. (two-way)
Number of routes: 2
Number of stations: 34
Average operating speed: 18,5 km/h
Passengers carried: 46 000 daily
Number of vehicles: 24

18.11.2002 – GLT system opens.
14.12.2011 – A decision is made to replace the GLT system with a conventional tramway.

Extensions of current brunches were previously planned, as well as the second east-west line. Neither will be implemented.

Practically all segments with the guidance rail are built on a reservation as a dedicated right-of-way. In the city center parts of streets are converted into the dedicated GLT right-of-way or GLT-only lanes, which practice takes up a lot of valuable space. Neither private cars nor even public buses are generally allowed on the GLT right-of-way. Technically speaking, non-GLT traffic is only allowed to cross over the guidance rail, but never to follow it. There are three minor exceptions. On the central Avenue du 6 Juin private cars do move over the GLT right-of-way in order to reach roadside parking spaces. The 130 meter-long stretch of Rue Roger Bastion near the Main Railroad Station is used by GLT and public buses alike. And finally, as GLT takes up the entire width of the narrow Rue de la Lisiere in the south of town, private cars of local residents are allowed on the 200 meter-long stretch of the GLT right-of-way. In a similar case the entire 250 meter-long Rue des Muets is completely closed off for non-GLT traffic.

System map: 2011

Approximate midday headways for each of the two lines:
Weekdays, “rush” hours: 7-9 min. (3-5 min. combined headway between both lines)
Weekdays, outside “rush” hours: 9-10 min. (4-5 min.)
Saturdays: 10-12 min. (5-6 min.)
Sundays: 30 min. (15 min.)

Timetables for both lines complement one another so the combined headway within the common segment of the line is evened out.

Timetables are standardized during middays. Schedule awareness, however, is essential when using the system during early mornings or late evenings, when headways are longer.

On-time performance and service regularity are excellent.

24 Bombardier GLT/TVR vehicles (2002)

All 24 three-section 95% low-floor vehicles were delivered for the opening of the system in 2002. The system experiences a shortage of rolling stock due to high passenger volume and the fact that Bombardier stopped production of GLT vehicles in 2006. Bombardier was, however, willing to built additional vehicles if an order of 20 or more such vehicles was placed, but it would be by far more than the number of vehicles Caen currently needs. The city opted to uninstall the GLT system instead.