France: The three-car Metropolis trainset was unveiled at the Palaiseau maintenance and storage site.
Soon, it will undergo static tests there and then will proceed to trial operation on Line 18, which is going to link Orly airport to Versailles. The launch of the first section, where trains will run every 85 seconds at peak times, is scheduled for Q4 2026.
The contract, signed by the manufacturer and the regional transport authority Île-de-France Mobilités in 2021, provides for the supply of up to 37 trains worth €230 mln. The €199 mln firm order includes 15 trainsets, which are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026. A total of six of Alstom’s French sites are mobilised to produce the vehicles.
Each 47 m three-car train features wheel-chair areas and can accommodate 350 passengers. It will operate at an average speed of 65 km/h. Reportedly, the new metro train contains 20% of recycled materials.
