Alstom Launches 52-Meter Metro Trains Doubling Lille Line 1 Capacity

LILLE, FRANCE – Alstom has commenced passenger service with the first five of its new 52-metre-long, rubber-tyred metro trains on the automated Line 1 in Lille. The deployment is a key milestone in a long-term modernization project for Métropole Européenne de Lille (MEL). The new trains will operate alongside the existing 26-metre fleet until the full transition is complete.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

The project involves the supply and commissioning of 42 new high-capacity automated metro trains to replace and augment the existing fleet. Alstom will deliver an initial batch of 27 trains by September 2026, followed by an additional 15 units ordered by MEL, which are scheduled for delivery from 2028. The introduction of these longer trains boosts per-vehicle capacity to 313 passengers and enables the transfer of the older, shorter trains from Line 1 to Line 2, thereby increasing service frequency across the network.

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

The Lille project focuses on increasing capacity on existing infrastructure by deploying longer rolling stock, a common strategy in mature European networks. This contrasts with network expansion projects in North America, such as the South Shore Line’s West Lake Corridor in Indiana, which involves building an entirely new route. That project is scheduled to begin passenger service on March 31, 2026, highlighting a similar multi-year timeline for delivering major service upgrades, albeit through new construction rather than fleet modernization (Source: Chicago Tribune, 2024).

Editor’s Analysis

This deployment in Lille underscores a critical industry trend: maximizing the capacity of existing automated metro lines through advanced rolling stock and control systems. As cities face pressure to increase public transport usage without the cost of building new lines, upgrading vehicles and the signalling that supports them offers a highly effective path forward. The project aligns with the projected growth in the railway signalling market, which is essential for enabling higher-frequency and higher-capacity automated operations on legacy infrastructure.

FAQ

Q: How many new trains are being delivered in total for Lille’s metro?
A: Alstom is contracted to deliver a total of 42 new trains for the network. The initial order was for 27 trains to be delivered by September 2026, with a subsequent order for 15 more scheduled for delivery starting in 2028.

Q: What is the capacity difference between the old and new trains?
A: The new 52-metre trains can carry 313 passengers (88 seated), which is nearly double the 160-passenger capacity of the older 26-metre trains they are replacing on Line 1.

Q: How will the new trains on Line 1 affect service on Line 2?
A: As the new, longer trains are introduced on Line 1, the existing shorter trains are being transferred to Line 2. This cascading of assets is designed to increase overall train frequency on Line 2, improving service for passengers on that route.