Metropolis metros help to connect Paris’ heart, arms and legs
“I don't know any other big city where the heart is so detached from its arms and legs.” - Richard Rogers, architect, describing the city of Paris in 2009.
Oliver Lynch-Bell, Product Director for metros at Alstom, offers us a glimpse into the Grand Paris Express, a bold and visionary project that promises to open up the entire region.
Oliver’s career began in 2007 with Bombardier Transportation and has included roles in engineering, product management, and the development of the rolling stock tender for high-speed trains in the UK. Oliver joined Alstom in 2021 and is now Product Director for medium capacity metros, responsible for product strategy and development. A born-and-bred Londoner, Oliver has a special affinity for the underground and is passionate about improving urban transport systems. For Oliver, a job well done is when new trains seamlessly integrate into daily life: the less you notice them, the better!
Connect with Oliver on LinkedIn
The iconic Paris metro system was established in the late 19th century to cater to the needs of the city’s residents. Are those needs still being met today?
The Paris metro system was originally designed to serve the city’s two million residents, ensuring that no-one lived more than 500 metres from a station. However, as the population of the greater Paris region grew, the transport system with its radial design continued to prioritise central Paris, leaving suburban commuters with very limited options. The Grand Paris Express project aimed at connecting ALL the people of the Paris region with eachother; or connecting the city to its arms and legs, as Richard Rogers would have said.
What is the Grand Paris Express?
The Grand Paris Express, developed by the Société des grands projets, the contracting authority for the Grand Paris Express, is the biggest urban transport project in Europe. With 200 km of new track, the project will almost double the length of the Paris metro network, adding 68 new stations, all designed to deliver three million journeys per day.
The Grand Paris Express will serve both some of Paris’ existing key transport hubs and business districts whilst creating new ones. In addition, the Grand Paris Express is a key driver for social and environmental change, providing access to public transport in more isolated areas, and forecast to reduce CO2 emissions by 10,9 million tonnes in the region by 2050.
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200km of new track
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68new stations
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100%Metropolis metros from Alstom, financed by Ile-de-France Mobilités
How is Alstom involved?
The entire network will use Alstom rolling stock, 100 % financed by Ile-de-France Mobilités the transport authority for Île-de-France. On line 18, Alstom provides a full turnkey system including rolling stock, signalling and centralised commands. On top of that, Alstom has secured contracts for signalling, track, catenary systems, and linear equipment for various sections of the Grand Paris Express network, along with maintenance and operations support on one of the line together with partners.
That is where the flexibility of our Metropolis solutions perfectly fits the Grand Paris Express programme, allowing us to support greenfield and brownfield systems and the specific needs of the different lines. All of these new trains will operate as automated, driverless metros.
Can you tell us more about the lines?
The Grand Paris Express network includes four new lines (15, 16, 17, and 18) and one extension, Line 14.
The newly extended Line 14, completed for the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024, now provides a fast link to Orly Airport through central Paris. The six-car trains have been replaced by Alstom’s driverless rubber tyred, eight-car trains, running every two minutes or less, consuming 20% less energy, and emitting 40% less noise.
Line 15 will circle the entire Paris region with Alstom's high-capacity six-car trains, achieving average speeds twice that of current metro lines. The trains will minimise environmental impact, boasting a 98% recyclability rate and nearly 100% material recoverability rate.
Lines 16 and 17 will serve the eastern suburbs and Charles de Gaulle airport, featuring three-car versions of the Line 15 trains to meet specific capacity requirements. Line 18 will serve the southwestern suburbs, using a specialised version of the Metropolis family with a 1500V third rail system and lightweight, track-friendly Flexx Eco™ bogies, similar to those used for London’s Elizabeth Line.
How will the new trains cater to the needs of busy Parisians?
Our main focus is always on the passengers. In collaboration with Société des grands projets and Île-de-France Mobilités, we’ve designed trains that feel bright and open, with large panoramic windows, wide doors, spacious aisles and walk-through gangways. We’ve used a mix of transverse and longitudinal seating to balance accessibility and passenger flow with the comfort levels needed for longer journeys. Our train interiors cater to all needs, featuring mobile charging, onboard Wi-Fi, and modern information systems. On lines 15, 16, 17 and 18, the trains will be equipped with a smart lighting system that adjusts to ambient conditions and time of day.
Do you have a final message for our readers?
I hope you’re inspired to visit Paris and try our Metropolis metros already running on line 14! Alternatively, you can hop on a train in any of the 70 cities around the world that feature an Alstom metro system. You won’t be alone: every year, 15 billion passengers use Alstom metros worldwide.
