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French National Railways (SNCF) July 4 signed a $60 million order for 15 Avanto-type low-floor light-rail vehicles (LRVs) from Siemens Transportation Systems.



The contract, which includes an option for 20 additional LRVs, marks the first time SNCF has ordered vehicles from Siemens and the Avanto concept has been sold on the European market, said Siemens in a prepared statement.



SNCF’s purchase illustrates the corporation’s new approach to moving people in metropolitan areas through the use of dual-system vehicles (tram-trains), which are able to run on both rail lines on city outskirts as well as inner-city tramways, said SNCF Chairman Louis Gallois.



"The ‘tram-train’ concept also allows us to give a new and more urban look to existing rail lines inserted in densely populated areas," he added.