RATP Completes Retirement of Last MP73 Train on Paris Line 6

PARIS, FRANCE – RATP permanently retired the final MP73 train from Line 6 on 8 July 2026, removing a fleet that had served the line since 1974. The withdrawal is the last step of a cascading rolling‑stock reshuffle that now leaves only MP89CC trains——transferred from Line 4——operating on the iconic rubber‑tired route.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

Line 6’s modernization replaced all 50 original MP73 trains with MP89CC units via a multi‑step cascade triggered by the delivery of MP14 trains to Line 14. MP89CA trains moved from Line 14 to the fully automated Line 4, allowing Line 4’s MP89CC fleet to shift to Line 6 between January 2023 and July 2026. The programme covered 252 MP73 railcars originally ordered in the 1970s; no new rolling stock was procured for Line 6.

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

RATP’s Line 6 transition relied entirely on internal fleet cascading, avoiding direct capital expenditure on new trains. By contrast, the $2.1 billion Chicago Red and Purple Line modernisation project, substantially completed in 2025 by the Fluor‑Walsh joint venture, combined heavy civil infrastructure with new rolling stock (Source: Construction Dive, 2026). The Chicago programme’s disclosed budget stands in sharp relief to Line 6, where the cost of transferring and adapting the MP89CC fleet has not been publicly released. Warsaw’s high‑speed railway tender attracted 19 firms for a single 14.3 km section (Source: Global Construction Review, 2026), underscoring the range of procurement models available to metro operators.

Editor’s Analysis

RATP’s cascading strategy closes the MP73 chapter without ordering a single new train, mirroring a pragmatic trend among European operators that stretch asset lifecycles while modernising service. The approach contrasts with London’s continuing heavy investment pipeline, where Transport for London and Eurostar project infrastructure‑driven growth of £2.7 billion and 40 000 jobs by 2035 (Source: Rail Business UK, 2026). Paris’s ability to reconfigure its existing fleet across lines signals a cost‑conscious template for cities that must balance legacy fleet exit with constrained capital budgets.

FAQ

Q: Why does Line 6 use rubber‑tyred trains?
A: Rubber‑tyred metro technology was selected for Line 6 because of the route’s steep gradients, extensive viaducts, and open‑air sections; the tyres offer better traction and lower noise and vibration on elevated structures.

Q: What rolling stock now operates on Paris Metro Line 6?
A: As of July 2026, only MP89CC trains——transferred from Line 4——remain in service on Line 6. These trains were introduced gradually from 2023 and have fully replaced the MP73 fleet.

Q: How many MP73 trains were built, and is any unit being preserved?
A: RATP ordered 252 MP73 railcars forming 50 trains; one motor car, M.3507, is set to be preserved at the RATP museum. The rest of the fleet has been retired after 52 years.