Siemens Mobility has secured a major contract from RATP to deliver the new Train Operation Automation System for Paris Metro Line 13. This choice follows the decision made in 2022 by the transport authority Île-de-France Mobilités to automate this line. The project will transform one of the city’s busiest metro lines with Siemens Mobility’s proven CBTC GoA4 technology, enabling fully automated, driverless operations for increased transport capacity and service reliability, and optimized energy consumption. The comprehensive contract includes providing the automation system, a new operations control center, and equipment for 66 trains, with an optional maintenance agreement for up to 30 years. The project builds on Siemens Mobility’s successful track record of implementing driverless technology on Paris Metro Lines 1, 4, and 14, and will enable driverless operation on Line 13 as well by late 2032.“Our selection for the Line 13 automation project reflects RATP´s
continued trust in our expertise. We are proud to support RATP in their
ambition to deliver decarbonized, high-performance, and comfortable transport
solutions that boost rail attractiveness and contribute to the fight against
climate change. Together, we’re shaping the future of mobility in Paris,”
said
Marc Ludwig, CEO of Siemens Mobility Rail Infrastructure. “We’ve had
the privilege of contributing to several successful projects in Paris over the
years. With Line 14, we achieved a world first by upgrading an existing
driverless system to our advanced CBTC GoA4 technology while simultaneously
extending automation to new sections of the line. This breakthrough enables
Line 14 to serve up to one million passengers daily at 85-second intervals. With
Line 13, we’re building on this expertise, upgrading one of Paris busiest lines
to operate fully automatically.”
Line 13 Modernization: Full automation project set to transform
Paris Metro operations
The comprehensive modernization of Line 13 will begin with
the introduction of new rolling stock in 2027, followed by the implementation
of an advanced automation system. The line’s current GoA2 system, which
operates with drivers controlling doors and safety functions while
automatically managing train acceleration and braking, will be upgraded to a
fully automated GoA4 system. The project scope includes equipping the new train
fleet, renovating the Operations Control Center (OCC), providing comprehensive staff
training, and an optional maintenance agreement.
Siemens Mobility’s CBTC GoA4 automation system will bring
major performance enhancements to Line 13, improving the passenger experience.
Key benefits include increased transport capacity through reduced train
intervals, dynamic frequency adjustment based on passenger demand, service
reliability, and optimized energy consumption. The system will also provide
real-time passenger information onboard trains, enhancing the overall travel
experience. This transformative project will be executed from Siemens Mobility’s
global center of excellence for rail automation and cybersecurity in Châtillon,
near Paris, where a team of over 500 engineers specializes in system design and
development.
Line 13: A critical north-south connection in Paris Metro network
With 32 stations along its 24-kilometer route, Line 13
connects the southwest (Châtillon-Montrouge) to the north of Paris
(Saint-Denis-Université and Les Courtilles). The line serves major transport
hubs including Saint-Lazare and Montparnasse-Bienvenüe. Carrying more than 550,000
passengers daily, it ranks among the network’s busiest lines, with particularly
high traffic in its northern section beyond Saint-Lazare, where the line splits
into two branches.