Surprised you didn't mention Manchester's Metrolink/Bee Network in this video. Manchester has the biggest conventional tram network in the UK, mainly by using old railways, and the introduction of the Bee Network which will include buses and possibly trains the system is becoming much more integrated. London could learn a lot from Manchester. However i do agree that France and other EU countries are the leaders in building modern tram networks.

excellent video, best explanation of the growth of French tram systems I've seen (although Strasbourg would also have been worth a shout out - I love their trams)

Trams are easier an infrastructure to install than metro rail or heavy rail, while providing the advantages to passesngers that are normally associated with metro rail. And trams are easier to maintain as an infrastructure. Though one can argue that trolleybuses are even cheaper and easier to maintain than trams, and are less disruptive. The reinstatement of trams in UK cities have mostly been successful but are beset by moral panics over the cost to taxpayers, as well as the poor way of doing business i.e edinburgh trams. In the UK public transport is viewed purely through corporate/profit margin terms. In continental europe public transport is seen as an essential social and civic tool.

very well documented and nice french pronunciation👏

A very neat video, Sam. Can you send it to Rishi Sunak and a few other MPs please? They might learn something about investing in the public realm. Now, ‘Alstom developed …APS’. As a Brixtonian, have you never been to the Cable Cafe at the top of Brixton Road near Oval station? It’s named after the point in the road outside where London’s trams (which were closed down over 70 years ago) switched from overhead electric current in the suburbs to underground cable operation in the centre. So, avoiding wiring knitting (as with trolleybuses) is nothing new whatsoever. It’s a pretty neat cafe too!

A really interesting video indeed. Oh that Transport Authorities in this country would take heed of developments elsewhere. When Edinburgh decided to re-introduce trams I was excited to see Scotland’s Capital being so forward-looking. It was not easy and faced a great deal of opposition on many sides but with the recent extension of the line as far as Newhaven the benefits are being more appreciated. I like the tram system in Nantes though I am surprised that Ligne 3 was never constructed as far as the Airport. A bit of a mistake I think. However, rather than take the Airport Navette, I do take Tram Ligne 3 from Commerce to Neustrie where a 98 bus will take me to the roundabout adjacent to the Airport. Formerly the 38 bus linked Neustrie directly into the Airport but when I arrived in Nantes Atlantique early last year I discovered that it no longer did so. Maybe around the time Tan changed to Naolib ?

Your French pronunciation is uncanny!