Metro line 11 has moved into the 21st century. Since June 1, it begins to be equipped with new trains much more modern than the old ones, the “MP59”, in circulation for sixty years. These new metros, the “MP14”, which already equip lines 4 and 14, were inaugurated this Thursday by Valérie Pécresse, the president of lle-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), Jean Castex, the boss of the RATP and Clément Beaune, Minister of Transport.
New trains that are unanimous among passengers. “I was amazed by the aesthetics of the metro, I looked at everything: the quality of the materials, the brushed steel, the indirect lighting”, enthuses a traveler. “I have traveled everywhere, I have never seen such a beautiful metro!”. Much brighter with their large windows, these new trains are also less noisy. Sound emissions are reduced by 40%, specifies Jean Castex.
Air conditioning and passenger information screens
Equipped with air conditioning, they are also more comfortable and have large screens for passenger information. “The time is displayed on the screens, it’s very practical”, notes Asma, a Parisian architect. This regular on the line also appreciates that they are “boa” oars. “You can go from one end of the train to the other without getting off. I, who often take the metro late at night, reassures me.”
The new metros have five cars, compared to four currently, for an increased capacity of up to 562 passengers. They will transport 25% more passengers. These trains, which are more energy efficient, also require three times of maintenance.
“A bit of nostalgia”
In the end, only Jean Castex seems to regret the old material. “A little word of nostalgia! I still want to salute the old metros which have rendered many services. Made to last 40 years, they finally remained 60 thanks to the care of RATP employees”greets the CEO of the company.
Ordered from the manufacturer Alstom, these new trains represent, according to Pierre Florent, project director for line 11, “a necessary first step to bring the extension into service”. 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.
2023-06-08 23:15:38
#beautiful #metro #passengers #delighted #trains #line
