Irizar, the Spanish bus manufacturer, has clinched a new deal with the Transport Union of the French Basque Country for the supply of eleven “ie tram” electric buses. This order includes seven 18-meter articulated buses and four 12-meter solo buses, adding to the 18 electric buses already operating in the region since 2019. The electric road trams have become iconic in the French Basque Country, with Irizar’s factory located in Aduna, in Spain’s Basque Country, nearby.
The “Tram’bus,” as it’s known in the region, has been a success story, having transported 12 million passengers since its introduction five years ago. With the new buses, the Transport Union aims to expand its route network and enhance service frequency.
The T2 line, currently 8.5 kilometers long, connects Tarnos with Bayonne, featuring traffic light priority and dedicated lanes. The new buses will extend this route by five kilometers to 13.5 kilometers, including the town of Bassussary. Scheduled for completion in 2026, construction on the route expansion began in spring 2024. The zero-emission route will include exclusive transit lanes and two park & ride lots for 670 vehicles on the city outskirts.
The other route to be served by the new electric buses is the 12-kilometer T1 line, connecting Bayonne, Biarritz, and Anglet. Starting with a frequency of 15 minutes, the service will increase to every 10 minutes in January 2025.
The updated Irizar ie tram boasts new features and safety enhancements based on feedback from existing operations in the French Basque Country. It complies with the latest GSR2-ADAS standards for vehicle cybersecurity. The new model also features a lighter and more compact drive system, reducing weight by 26 percent, and a new generation of 470 kWh batteries with improved energy efficiency and range. These batteries are compatible with the fast-charging infrastructure of the French electricity grid.
The Irizar ie tram’s modern design, reminiscent of a streetcar, has found success in other cities, including Orleans, France, where 36 electric buses are in service, and London, with a fleet of 20 vehicles.
