A new fast and fully automated metro
The metro will be fully automated to provide reliable service. On some lines, trains will arrive every 2-3 minutes. Schedules will be adjusted based on special cultural or sporting events, and follow the pace of life in the Paris region (week days, weekends, school holidays, etc.).
Due to the way it's designed and the distance between stations, it will travel at average speeds of 55-65 km/hr (34-40 mph) up to a maximum of 110 km/hr (68 mph). By comparison, the Paris metro lines currently travel at speeds of 21-27 km/hr (13-17 mph).
And because it's fully automated, the metro will operate at optimum capacity thereby reducing energy consumption. The modern carriage design, all-electric service braking, and standard LED lighting combine to make the Grand Paris Express as energy-efficient as possible.
In the near future, close to 3 million passengers will ride on the new metro lines every day. To ensure their comfort, carriage capacity has been adjusted to meet traffic forecasts on the lines.
One train car can carry up to
Fully accessible, comfortable and digitized
The new metro is designed to offer full accessibility, including a large number of colour-coded places designated as priority seating. Every car will have spaces for prams and wheelchairs. Every single entrance will be wheelchair-accessible.
To keep passengers comfortable, the carriages are equipped with high-performance heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Lighting will also be adjusted to the time of day. In addition to video security systems, the metro will also heighten the sense of security with lights under the seats.
High-speed Internet and USB ports will be available on board so passengers can make the most of their commute.
Monitors on the station walls will inform them of wait times for the next two trains. Riders will also be told the passenger load for each train so they can position themselves accordingly on the platform.
The carriages were designed as a joint project between the manufacturer Alstom, Île-de-France Mobilités, and Société des grands projets.
The Grand Paris Express Operations Centres
Across the Grand Paris Express network, six operations centres will oversee the safe circulation of trains.
Each centre is designated to a line or a section of a line. Technicians are onsite to maintain the new metro’s cars, infrastructure equipment, and operating systems. These centres will create over 1,000 direct skilled jobs.
Up to three activities can be done at the operations centres:
- Central command posts
- Maintenance sites and storage depots
- Infrastructure maintenance sites
The Palaiseau operations centre
© Société des grands projets / Jean-François Schmit Architectes