New year, new metros, and a few new challenges too! While the metropolis is getting ready for the arrival of the giant 52-meter trains on line 1, the ilévia network will experience several interruptions, both on the metro and the tram. This is all due to technical tests and heavy construction work, but it will still affect quite a few journeys.
Metro line 1 completely stopped on January 17 and 18
This is probably the most important news. On Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18, 2026, metro line 1 will be completely interrupted all day long. The reason? “Trial runs,” in other words, real-world tests of the new 52-meter trains, which are set to enter service gradually to double the capacity of the Lille metro.
To avoid everyone getting stuck, replacement buses will be put in p...lace on the entire line, with a stop every 6 to 10 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening. Staff and specific signage will also be deployed at the stations to guide travelers. Good news: normal traffic will resume on Monday, January 19 in the morning.
The tram to Roubaix interrupted several evenings in a row
Another big disruption to note in the schedule: the Roubaix branch of the tram will also slow down, but only in the evening.
Due to SNCF Reseau work at the Wasquehal Bridge, service will be interrupted between Croisé Laroche and Roubaix Eurotéléport: from Monday, January 19 to Thursday, January 22, 2026, and then from Monday, January 26 to Thursday, January 29, 2026. These interruptions will occur from 10 PM until the end of service. During the rest of the day, the tram will run normally, as will Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
During these time slots, replacement buses will take over on the affected stretch, with a frequency equivalent to that of the tram in the evening, meaning a stop every.30 minutes.
Note: the main line and the Tourcoing branch are not affected and will continue to operate normally.
What alternatives are there for getting around ?
During all these periods of work and testing, the ilévia bus network and metro line 2 will continue to run normally. This gives you the chance to create alternative routes if your usual line is affected.