The CTS was founded in 1877 as a private enterprise and later operated as a semi-public company for more than a century. In June 2019 it became a société publique locale (SPL, a state-owned company).
The CTS has a share capital of €5 million, 80% of which is held by the Eurométropole de Strasbourg and 20% by the Grand Est region. It also adopted société à mission status at an extraordinary general meeting on 4 May 2023.
Becoming a société à mission required a great deal of planning throughout 2022, and the move falls under the extension of the En route vers demain 2021-2025 (The route ahead: 2021-2025) corporate roadmap. The change reflects the company's determination to instil its social, societal and environmental concerns in its articles of association. It also aims to affirm and confirm its commitments in relationships with customers, local authorities, suppliers, employees and staff representatives. Société à mission status is similar in many ways to B Corp certification.
The CTS is still a state-owned company, but as a société à mission it asserts itself as a committed, responsible organisation with a profound impact on society.
The CTS is both the operator and contracting authority for the Eurométropole de Strasbourg’s public transport network.
It has two complementary missions:
• Operate the urban public transport network across Strasbourg’s metropolitan area
The CTS provides real added value as a transport operator and is recognised across Europe for the quality of its services and its innovative approach.
• Design the infrastructure of the Eurométropole’s network
The CTS is more than just an expert in the development of the tram network, the technical specifications, pricing, innovative solutions, and so on. It also designs, builds and funds infrastructure ranging from tracks, stops and ticketing technology to video surveillance and park & ride services – and much more.
Click on the image below to view the interactive PDF version of the CTS annual and corporate social responsibility report.
In 2017, the CTS celebrated its 140th anniversary! A 232-page book was published to mark the occasion. Written by author and journalist Philippe Wendling, CTS - L'Art du mouvement depuis 140 ans looks back over the lifetime of the CTS and its transport network, from its first hippomobiles to its modern trams equipped for the digital age.
Click here to order your copy (in French).
- 1877 Founding of the CTS
- 1928 Introduction of first bus services
- 1939 Introduction of first trolleybus services
- 1960 Closure of the tramway
- 1994 Creation of new tram network and start-up of Line A
- 1998 Opening of line D
- 2000 Opening of lines B and C
- 2007 Extension of lines C and D, opening of Line E
- 2008 Extension of line B
- 2010 Opening of line F and direct connection from the railway station via line C
- 2013 Extensions of the lines A and D, creation of the line G, the first Bus Rapid Transit service in Strasbourg
- 2017 Extension of line D to Kehl
