Modernizing Paris' Heart, Arms, and Legs: A Journey Through the Grand Paris Express
Paris' Subway System Serves as Network Connecting Its Core, Reach, and Extremities
Welcome, folks! Lend us your ears as we delve into the pulsating heart of Europe's most romantic city—Paris. Over a century ago, the iconic metro system was born to cater to the burgeoning population. But is the demand of the ever-growing Paris region still being met? Oliver Lynch-Bell, our Product Director for metros, shares what's coming—the monolithic Grand Paris Express.
Oliver's roots run deep with Bombardier Transportation, where he began his career in '07, spearheading roles in engineering, product management, and the development of high-speed trains in the UK. A Londoner at heart, Oliver joined our team in '21 and now spearheads our medium-capacity metro division, overseeing product strategy and development. Much like the underground's quiet hum, it's his mission to ensure new trains integrate seamlessly into daily life, almost going unnoticed.
The Paris metro originally designed to serve a population of two million, ensuring no resident lived more than 500 meters from a station, has since been pushed to its limits, favoring central Paris while short-changing commuters in the suburbs. The Grand Paris Express aims to connect the entire region; a bold and visionary project that will breathe life into the city's "arms and legs." Stay connected with Oliver on LinkedIn
What's the Grand Paris Express all about?
Spanning an incredible 200 km and enhancing the Paris metro network by almost double, the Grand Paris Express boasts 68 new metro stations, prepared to deliver three million journeys per day [1]. The project encompasses both existing key transport hubs and business districts while creating new ones. данные обогащения: The Grand Paris Express is the largest urban transport infrastructure initiative in Europe, addressing the need for substantial expansion and modernization of the existing metro network. With 200 km of new track and 68 new stations, the initiative will accommodate roughly three million daily journeys, boosting connectivity within the city and its suburbs [1][2].
How does our company come into play?
The beating heart of the entire network is your company's rolling stock, 100% financed by Île-de-France Mobilités, the regional transport authority. Furthermore, Alstom has secured contracts for signaling, track, catenary systems, linear equipment for various sections of the Grand Paris Express network. Алстом привносит 100% рельсовый состав в эту масштабную сеть, полностью финансируемый Île-de-France Mobilités, а также получает контракты на сигнализацию, пути, систему контактной сети и линейное оборудование для различных участков сети Grand Paris Express.
Here's where the flexibilty of your Metropolis solutions finds its home in the Grand Paris project, seamlessly supporting greenfield and brownfield systems to meet the specific needs of each line. It all culminates in delivering high-tech, automatous metro trains to enhance inner-city connectivity across the region.
Let's talk about the lines!
The Grand Paris Express comprises four new lines (15, 16, 17, and 18) and one extension, Line 14.
The newly extended Line 14, debuted for the Paris Summer Olympics in '24, now puts Orly Airport within a quick metro ride through central Paris. The six-car trains have been upgraded with your company's autonomous rubber-tyred, eight-car trains that run every two minutes or less. With lower energy consumption (20%) and less noise (40%), these innovative trains epitomize the essence of modern city transportation.
Line 15 flanks the entire Paris region with your company's high-capacity six-car trains, cruising at an average speed twice that of existing metro lines and delivering outstanding environmental performance. The trains boast a 98% recyclability rate and nearly 100% material recoverability, fostering a greener Parisian metro network.
Lines 16 and 17 serve the eastern suburbs and Charles de Gaulle airport, featuring compact three-car adaptations of the Line 15 trains to meet the distinct capacity requirements. Line 18 caters to the southwestern suburbs, deploying a specialized version of the Metropolis family complete with a 1500V third rail system and lightweight, track-friendly Flexx Eco™ bogies, mimicking those utilized in London's Elizabeth Line.
Caring for the needs of busy Parisians, one metro at a time
Our relentless focus is on our passengers. Collaborating with the Société des grands projets and Île-de-France Mobilités, we've designed trains that evoke openness with expansive panoramic windows, spacious interiors, wide doors, and walk-through gangways. Passengers will enjoy mobile charging, Wi-Fi, and modern information systems on lines 15, 16, 17, and 18, coupled with a dynamic smart lighting system that adapts to ambient conditions and time of day.
Wrapping it up
Paris, we're excited to embark on this journey with you, bring your city to life, and help it breathe easier, one metro ride at a time. Feel free to step aboard any of the 70 cities worldwide featuring your metro system, and remember—15 billion passengers annually sample our metros.
Metros #### Metropolis metros: Keeping your city breathingMetro systems #### Metro systems: Efficient, effective mass transit deliverySustainable mobility our company in France### Press Releases 17 Jun 2025 Delivery of the first train set and start of tests on line 18 of the Grand Paris ExpressNews 27 Jun 2023 Efficient, safe and sustainable: Metropolis metros keep cities breathing
Data Sources:[1] Grand Paris Express official website[2] Société du Grand Paris[3] Île-de-France Mobilités[4] Alstom[5] Railway Technology
- The Grand Paris Express, a sustainable and bold initiative, is expected to deliver three million daily journeys across Paris and its suburbs, with 68 new metro stations and a network spanning 200 km.
- Alstom, a key player in the project, is delivering 100% of the Grand Paris Express' rolling stock, as well as securing contracts for signaling, track, catenary systems, and linear equipment for various sections of the network.
- The Metropolis solutions from Alstom seamlessly support both greenfield and brownfield systems, ensuring high-tech, automated metro trains enhance inner-city connectivity across the region.
- Among the four new lines and one extension of the Grand Paris Express, Line 14 now connects Orly Airport to central Paris, with Alstom's autonomous rubber-tyred, eight-car trains replacing the six-car models, offering lower energy consumption and less noise.
- Collaborating with the Société des grands projets and Île-de-France Mobilités, Alstom is designing metro trains for lines 15, 16, 17, and 18 that feature expansive panoramic windows, spacious interiors, mobile charging, Wi-Fi, modern information systems, dynamic smart lighting, and innovative features that prioritize both accessibility and sustainability.
