An Urban Innovation
At the end of the 19th century, Bordeaux experienced significant demographic and economic growth. To support the city's expansion and ease transportation, a new mode of transport was piloted: the horse-drawn tramway. Launched in 1880, it marked a crucial step in the modernization of urban mobility.
.
©Jacques Chaigneau
From Horses to Electric Cables
This pioneering network consists of horse-drawn carriages running on tracks laid in the streets. While basic by today’s standards, it offered a more regular and comfortable alternative to omnibuses. Soon enough, the system revealed its limitations as passenger numbers grew. In 1891, Bordeaux took a big step forward by electrifying its network, becoming one of the first French cities to make this exciting transition.
A city ahead of its time
With this innovation, Bordeaux has been part of the circle of pioneering European cities in public transport since the end of the 19th century. It outpaces many other metropolises, reinforcing its identity as a dynamic and visionary regional capital.
After a complete stop in the 1950s in favor of cars and buses, its great comeback was decided in the 1990s under the leadership of Alain Juppé, who was then the mayor of Bordeaux. Inaugurated in 2003, the modern tramway features innovative ground-level power supply technology (APS), which helps maintain the beauty of the squares and platforms without overhead wires. Today, it serves as the backbone of the metropolitan transport system.