metro-paris-veide-ligne-3-bis-annonce-sonore-visue

Why are these subway lines silent?

undefined undefined undefined 07h30

The Editor

© BalkansCat / Shutterstock

As we know, in the subway, there are more exceptions than rules. For example, on some lines, the stops are indicated by lights. On others, a voice announces the stations as you approach. And finally, on some, there is neither one nor the other. But then, why is there a complete lack of signage?

A metro ride is the perfect time to get a lot of things done. You can read your book, catch up on the latest news on your phone, or even listen to the 12 minute 37 second voicemail left by your best buddy. But, with all these activities, it’s easy to get distracted and miss your stop. Fortunately, on most lines, all you need to do is look up or listen carefully to avoid disaster. However, on 6 of the Paris metro lines, it takes a special level of alertness.


Dinosaurs from another century

Well, it’s common knowledge that the 8 line holds the title of the worst metro line in the capital, tied with the 13. And while some blame this status ...

delays of the line, or its noise, it is also believed that the line is completely silent when it comes to knowing where we are with the stops. And it’s not the only one, since lines 3 bis, 7, 7 bis, 10, and 12 are in the same situation.

The reason is lines that have been around for a long time, as some of the trains running in the capital have been in service for over 40 years, making them some of the oldest trains in the world still in operation! This explains the lack of modernity, and hence the absence of visual or auditory information. And while we find this quite challenging, we prefer not to think about the nightmare it represents for visually impaired individuals, who currently have to count the number of stops in their heads.


Solutions in the works

Fortunately, the situation should soon evolve, as these different lines will be among the first to receive the new metro trains MF19, with the first ones set to be installed on the ...

by the end of 2025. Extremely modern metro trains, equipped with screens and speakers. But since it will take over 10 years to equip all these lines, RATP has decided to offer a temporary solution and has started to add sound systems to these lines using a bluetooth box system located on the platforms, connected to the speakers inside the trains. For now, the system is being installed on lines 10, 3 bis, and 7 bis.