On Friday 14 February, Île-de-France Mobilités (IdFM) and Alstom presented the new MF19 metro generation (MF19 stands for Metro Fer tender 2019). Designed by Alstom, manufactured in Crespin, northern France and financed by IdFM, the series will enter service on line 10 at the end of 2025 and will gradually replace the older trains in service on 8 lines: 3, 3bis, 7, 7bis, 8, 10, 12 and 13.
Since 2016, Île-de-France Mobilités has invested heavily in the modernisation of its public transport fleet. In total, this amounts to 12.5 billion euros for trains, including 4.9 billion euros for metros.
So far, 147 MF19 trains have been firmly ordered from Alstom as part of a framework agreement. We reported here:
While the metro lines operated with rubber-tyred trains have already been equipped with new vehicles, in particular with the arrival of the MP14 on lines 4, 11 and 14, it is now the turn of the steel-wheeled lines. In the coming years, the MF67, MF77 and MF88 series from the 1960s, 70s and 80s will be replaced.
Modernisation of the infrastructure
In addition to the vehicles, the corresponding infrastructure is also being adapted and modernised. This includes tracks, platforms, station entrances, power supply, signalling systems and communication systems to ensure compatibility with the MF19 trains.
A total of almost 3 billion euros will be invested in adapting the RATP network and maintenance sites, including 1.4 billion euros for lines 8 and 13 alone. These investments will make it possible in particular to automate line 13 by 2035, which is regularly overloaded during rush hour.
Five maintenance workshops are being built or converted by RATP on behalf of Île-de-France Mobilités for the new MF19 trains. For example, a new workshop is being set up in Créteil Valenton for line 8. It is designed for up to 22 trains.
The features of the new Metro
The MF19 is equipped with air conditioning, a pleasant lighting atmosphere and comfortable seats by metro standards. Different interior configurations have been developed for the individual lines: one “comfort” and one “capacity” variant are intended to adapt the vehicles to the traffic volume on the respective lines. The modular design also allows the interior to be customised if necessary.
Passenger information is also new: thanks to numerous screens with real-time information, passengers can see the name of the next station served, as well as all other necessary information: Connections, disruptions, exits, etc..
There are reserved areas, acoustic and visual passenger information and widened doors for people with reduced mobility (PRM).
Much progress has also been made in terms of environmental protection: right from the start, the new series was designed to minimise the amount of pollutants produced throughout its entire life cycle. The future trains will consist of 20% recycled materials and can be 98% recycled at the end of their service life. Compared to the MF77 trains currently in use, they will consume around 25% less energy, thanks in particular to the electrodynamic brake and the LED lighting system. Electric braking will also reduce particulate emissions when the trains stop at stations.
Von Anfang an wurden alle in Betracht gezogenen Konfigurationen entwickelt. Der MF19 wird als 4- und 5-Wagen Variante gebaut und in drei Längen hergestellt:
- 61 m (4-cars)
- 76,1 m (5-cars short version)
- 77,5 m (5-cars long version)
The vehicle lengths are based on the platform lengths of the respective lines. In addition to the version with a driver, the MF19 is also available with automatic control (GoA4) and with a driver’s cab. However, none of the steel wheel lines are currently equipped for driverless operation.
In addition, the configurations and equipment are designed to be reversible in order to adapt to the evolution of the lines. For example, the driver’s cab can be replaced by an automatic cab, and the 5-car trains can be converted from a short version to a long version – and vice versa.
Modern Design
The MF19 was recently awarded the “Janus de l’Industrie” label by the French Institute of Design. The circular front and rear lights in white and red are particularly striking.
The first vehicle was decorated with a colourful livery, which apparently symbolises the different lines on which the new series is to be used. The interior is also colourful. The seat upholstery, for example, has different colours.
20.02.2025
