Alstom's Citadis trams complete 15 years of service in Murcia

Alstom, a global mobility solutions provider, has been supplying its Citadis trams to the city of Murcia in Spain for 15 years. Since 2011, the company's maintenance team has successfully ensured that all eleven Citadis trams are available daily for operator Sociedad Concesionaria Tranvía de Murcia (TDM), which runs the city's tram service.

Alstom is responsible for all aspects of vehicle maintenance, including preventive and corrective actions, wheel reprofiling, and major repairs. TDM holds a 40-year concession from local authorities to operate the tramway and has subcontracted the vehicle maintenance to Alstom. The primary objective is complete customer satisfaction, which is critical as TDM operates the entire fleet without spare vehicles during peak hours.

The fleet's availability relies on highly digitized maintenance surveillance and planning, covering 90% of operations. Alstom has implemented HealthHub™ and TrainTracer systems, which utilize AI to predict potential issues and schedule maintenance without service disruptions. Full deployment of these tools is targeted for 2026. This digital approach allows for the identification and resolution of problems before they impact passenger service.

The maintenance of Murcia's trams presents a significant logistical challenge, requiring meticulous tracking of kilometers covered, spare parts, and staff shifts. Key factors in its success include adaptability and flexibility, as maintenance tasks must be fitted into a few-hour window each day. Larger repairs are broken down into smaller phases, and faulty parts are immediately swapped with serviced units to keep the trams operational.