Alstom Boosts Lille Metro Network with 15 New Trains

Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has secured a significant contract to supply 15 additional 52-meter long new-generation automated metro trainsets to the Métropole Européenne de Lille (MEL) in France. This order, worth around 210 million euros, brings the total number of new-generation metros ordered to 42. The new trains will replace the old VAL-208 trainsets from 2028 onwards and are part of a general policy to modernize the Lille metro network, aiming to improve transport services on lines 1 and 2.

The new-generation metros will be equipped with the state-of-the-art Urbalis Fluence signalling and automated control system, which is based on direct train-to-train communication and embeds the system's intelligence on board. This innovative technology will make the trains more autonomous and improve the system's overall performance. The Lille metro network will remain the most frequent metro in the world, with a train running every 66 seconds during rush hour.

The 52-meter metros will offer greater comfort, improved accessibility, and better passenger information. Each train will be able to accommodate up to 545 passengers, with a "boa" configuration that allows passengers to move from one end of the train to the other without any separations between the four cars. The addition of these 15 new metros will give line 1 a fleet exclusively made up of new-generation trains.

On board these metros, passenger information will be enhanced by multimedia displays and screens located throughout the train. There will be areas dedicated to people with reduced mobility, and an integrated video protection system will contribute to passenger safety on board the trains and on the platforms. The new-generation metros are fitted with high-performance traction equipment for improved energy efficiency, with intervals that can be reduced to 66 seconds during rush hour.

The new trains will be designed and assembled in France, with six of Alstom's sixteen sites in France taking part in the project. These sites include Valenciennes-Petite Forêt, Le Creusot, Ornans, Tarbes, Saint-Ouen, and Villeurbanne. The automated metros for Lille are part of Alstom's market-leading Metropolis metro solutions, which have been keeping cities breathing for over 60 years. More than 80 customers worldwide operate metros made by Alstom.




This significant order from the MEL demonstrates Alstom's strong position in the global metro market and its commitment to providing sustainable and innovative mobility solutions. The new-generation metros will not only enhance the passenger experience but also contribute to the modernization and improvement of the Lille metro network.