STIF, the Paris transport organising authority, approved on 10 July the proposal of RAPT to convert Line 4 into a fully automated metro line. This project is to increase the capacity, regularity, quality of service, responsiveness and safety of the line.

Line 4 is now the Paris metro’s second busiest line, averaging 740,000 passengers a day. Over 100 years old, the rubber-tyred line has 12.1 km and 27 stations. With conversion, the line will feature 21 driverless trains Alstom MP89, currently in service in the automated Line 14 (Meteor). Line 4 will also receive Alstom MP05 trains bought for Line 14’s extension to the north, which is programmed in 2018, as Line 14 fleet changes progressively from 6-car trains to 8-car trains a few months after it’s extension.

The experience of Line 1, also fully automated since December 2012, shows the importance of automation for passengers:

• More trains during peak hours
• Improved consistency across the line
• Ability to adapt transport supply instantly in case of heavy demand

The conversion to full automation of line 4 should be completed by 2022 with no major traffic disruption. The early work (modernization of tracks, signalling, OCC…) is planned for 2014.

Pierre Mongin, RATP’s CEO “welcomes the decision of STIF and thanks the organizing authority for its investment in the project. The priority of RATP is improving the quality of service and the automation of line 4 is an important step in achieving this goal.”

 

Source: RATP