Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, will supply Île-de-France Mobilités and RATP with 103 new MF19 trainsets, which is the new generation metro on rail, for a total contract value of more than €800 million, 100% financed by Île-de-France Mobilités. This new fleet will replace the existing rolling stock on lines 13, 12 and 8 of the Île-de-France metro as of 2027.
This additional order is part of the framework agreement signed in December 2019 between RATP (on behalf of Île-de-France Mobilités) and Alstom for the delivery of up to 410 MF19 trainsets. The MF19 will ultimately equip 8 lines of the Île-de-France metro (lines 3, 3bis, 7, 7bis, 8, 10, 12, 13) and will gradually replace the older vehicles of the MF67, MF77 and MF88 series.
In 2019, a first batch of 44 multiple units was ordered, which are to be gradually deployed on lines 10, 7bis and 3bis from 2025. Both the manufacturer consortium, then Alstom/Bombardier, and the exterior design of Avant Premiere have changed. Bombardier Transportation has been part of the Alstom Group since January 2021 and the exterior design has been changed. We reported here:
A total of 147 new MF19 Metros
This brings the total number of MF19 metros ordered to date to 147, underlining the renewed confidence of Île-de-France Mobilités and the RATP in this modern rolling stock. 103 additional multiple units will be added to the fleet.
- 67 trains for line 13
- 22 trains for line 12
- 14 trains for line 8
These 103 trainsets will all have a driver’s cab. As the MF19 trains are fully reversible to adapt to the needs and developments of the lines, these can be converted into automatic metros if the lines are automated.
Trains with “Boa configuration”
The new vehicles will be delivered as four- and five-car configurations with vehicle lengths of 61 and 77.5 metres respectively. Each train will have a “boa” configuration (open circulation without separations between cars) and will feature interior fittings designed to optimise passenger flows. They will feature modern passenger information systems, large picture windows and 100% LED lighting. They will also offer a pleasant travel experience, with ergonomic seating, heating and air conditioning, reduced noise emissions and USB sockets for recharging mobile devices.
Equipped with video surveillance cameras along the entire length of the trainset and integrated cybersecurity protection, the MF19 trains will enhance passenger safety.
Environmentally friendly, the new metros are eco-designed (20% recycled materials in their production), enabling 98% of the metros to be recyclable at the end of their lifecycle. They will consume 20% less energy than the trains currently in service, thanks notably to 100% electric braking.
MF19 production goes ahead
Production of the MF19 metros has started at Alstom’s Crespin and Valenciennes-Petite Forêt sites, in Hauts-de-France. The first vehicles have been manufactured, the first trainset has been assembled and is about to enter the testing phase.
The MF 19 metro is designed and assembled in France. Eight of Alstom’s 16 sites in France participate in the project:
- Valenciennes-Petite Forêt and Crespin are in charge of studies, design, trainset assembly, tests/validations, and homologation,
- Crespin and Le Creusot produce the bogies,
- Ornans, the motors,
- Tarbes, the powertrain equipment,
- Toulouse, the development of electrical harnesses,
- Villeurbanne, on-board electronics,
- Aix-en-Provence, IT security.
A total of 2,300 Alstom employees, including 700 engineers, are working on the project.
A recent video shows the current production of the trains in Crespin, northern France:
