Modernization of the Paris metro: line 11 gets new trains

By the end of summer 2023, the oldest trains in the RATP network, the “MP59s”, in circulation for sixty years on line 11, will disappear to make way for the new “MP14s”.

The new metros have five cars, compared to four currently, for an increased capacity of up to 562 passengers.

"We are going to transport 25% more passengers, reduce the time between two metros at peak times, consume 20% less electricity, and the noise emission will decrease by 40%", welcomed Jean Castex, the CEO of RATP, during a ceremony in the presence of Minister Delegate for Transport Clément Beaune.

The renewal of the fleet should be done by the end of July 2023 at the rate of four trains per week. An "extremely fast" substitution, according to Mr. Florent.

"It's a big day for line 11, it's going to be day and night," enthused the president of Ile-de-France Mobilités Valérie Pécresse, before cutting the inaugural ribbon of the new metro.

Ordered from the constructor Alstom, these new trains, cousins ​​of those already in circulation on lines 4 and 14 of the Paris metro -the latter being automatic, unlike those of line 11--, represent, according to Pierre Florent, director of the line 11, "a necessary first step to commission the extension".

The addition of six stations on the line, from the current Mairie des Lilas terminus to Rosny-Bois-Perrier, will lead to a sharp increase in use of this metro, "from 130.000 passengers per day to nearly 200.000 per day" in 2024, said Mr. Florent.

The extension of line 11, over 5,4 km, should cost 1,08 billion euros, to which must be added 214 million for the adaptation and modernization of existing stations and 310 million for new trains.