Alstom Citadis 100

Konstal

Industry	Rail vehicle manufacturing
Founded	1917 in Chorzów, Poland
Fate	Acquired by Alstom in 1997
Successor	Alstom Konstal
Headquarters	Chorzów , Poland

Alstom Citadis 100 encompasses two models of low-floor trams within the Citadis series, manufactured at the Konstal facility in Chorzów from 1999 through 2001. A total of 21 units were produced, with current operations including 4 trams in Gdańsk and 17 units serving the Silesian Interurbans network.

History

In 1995, Konstal launched its inaugural tram featuring a low-floor segment (~25%)—a two-section model—with a single unit delivered to Warsaw. By 1997, Konstal introduced the three-section partially low-floor 114Na (~15% low-floor), selling two vehicles to Gdańsk.

During 1998, Konstal collaborated to develop prototypes comprising one and two units of the 116Na series. Between 1998 and 2000, 26 production units of the 116Na/1 model were constructed, characterized by three sections and roughly 60% low-floor coverage.

Building on insights gained from manufacturing the 116Na, Konstal created the Citadis 100 range specifically designed for Poland’s transit market following its acquisition by French company Alstom in 1997.

Construction

The Citadis 100 trams are three-section, unidirectional vehicles with partial low-floor design intended for urban public transportation.

Model	Length	Weight	Motor configuration and power	Seating capacity	Door arrangement	Percentage of low-floor area
NGd99	26.6 m	30 t	4 × 140 kW motors	49 seats	1-2-2-2-2-1	70%
116Nd	24.05 m	28 t	4 × 120 kW motors	22 seats	2-2-2-2	73%

Bogies

The design incorporates two powered bogies positioned beneath the outer sections and a single trailing bogie under the central section. The powered bogies were sourced from Linke-Hofmann-Busch in Salzgitter, previously utilized in Citadis 200 trams operating in Magdeburg. The trailing bogie was manufactured locally in Chorzów.

Body

The NGd99 model is equipped with two sets of double-leaf sliding doors (each 1,300 mm wide) located in the low-floor zones of the first and third modules, along with single-leaf doors at both ends—the front door serving as the driver’s entrance. The 116Nd features a comparable door configuration but integrates the driver’s access into the first door.

The lowered floor height allows windows to be aligned uniformly along one horizontal line, some fitted with tilting upper panes. Both variants have retractable ramps adjacent to the second door that facilitate wheelchair boarding; these ramps are operated from the driver’s control panel.

External pixel-based displays serve as destination indicators on Citadis 100 trams.

Engines

Each tram is driven by four air-cooled induction motors rated at either 120 kW or 140 kW. The propulsion system uses IGBT semiconductor technology, enabling regenerative braking for energy recuperation. Power electronics consist of Onix 800 inverters produced by Konstal, with all control components mounted on the roof.

Interior

The NGd99 offers seating for 44 passengers along with designated spaces for wheelchairs. In contrast, the 116Nd provides 22 standard seats plus an additional 12 wide seats (70 cm each) and two wheelchair positions. Near each door, multifunctional stanchions contain ticket validators, emergency brake handles, door controls, passenger announcement speakers, and trash receptacles.

The driver’s cabin in Citadis 100 trams is air-conditioned and equipped with a technical computer that displays live system diagnostics.

Modernizations

In March 2016, Gdańsk issued a tender for the refurbishment of its entire fleet of four trams. Modertrans Poznań secured the contract as the sole bidder, offering to complete the upgrades by July 2017 at a cost of 1.75 million PLN per vehicle. By May 2017, two of these modernized trams had already been reintroduced into service in Gdańsk.

Between mid-2019 and February 2021, Tramwaje Śląskie’s Service and Repair Department undertook a comprehensive modernization of a 116Nd tram. Enhancements included improvements to the interior design, lighting system, tinted window glazing, air conditioning installation, USB charging ports, and updated passenger information displays. Following this extensive overhaul, the tram was reclassified under the designation 116Ndm.

Operations

Country	Location	Operator	Type	Delivery Years	Quantity	Sources
Poland	Gdańsk	Gdańsk trams	NGd99	1999–2000	4
	Silesian Interurbans	Tramwaje Śląskie	116Nd	2000–2001	10 (17)
			116Ndm	from 2021	7
Total					21

Gdańsk

The inaugural NGd99 tram reached Gdańsk on 21 December 1999 and commenced regular operation by January 2000 on line 2, which connects Jelitkowo with Śródmieście. The full set of four units was delivered by May of that year.

From 2009 through 2013, the fleet underwent repainting to harmonize with the newer Flexity Classic trams. This refresh introduced a cream-and-blue color scheme inspired by historic pre-war Gdańsk livery. Each tram was also dedicated to a local priest who was martyred during World War II, thereby enriching their cultural value.

Silesian Interurbans

In 1998, Tramwaje Śląskie placed an order with Konstal for 17 Citadis trams aimed at modernizing the Katowice–Chorzów–Bytom corridor served by lines 6 and 41. The first unit was presented in June 2000; however, public service did not begin until September 2001 due to ongoing track renovations.

These trams were named Karlik following a public voting process and primarily operated out of depots in Zawodzie and Gliwice. Due to constraints related to loading gauge dimensions, their operation is confined to selected routes.

Until the introduction of Pesa Twist trams in 2014, these Citadis vehicles were the sole low-floor trams available in Upper Silesia. The arrival of the new models resulted in some Citadis units being reassigned to different lines, including line 4 in Zabrze by 2016.

On 2 December 2016, a Citadis tram was involved in an accident with a truck in Bytom, resulting in one injury.

Szczecin

Because of delays in the delivery of the 105N2k/2000 tram models, Szczecin received its first low-floor 116Nd tram as compensation. Tram number 783 operated on lines 7 and 8 from 21 March until 20 April 2001. After completing testing, it was returned to Katowice and renumbered as 800; meanwhile, its former number was assigned to the first delivered unit of the 105N2k/2000 series.