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The new Paris metro trains are already outdated before they even arrive!

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The Editor

© IDFM

For a decade now, RATP and Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM) have been working on designing new metro trains. Trains that aim to be more accessible, comfortable, and modern. However, during the unveiling of these new carriages on February 14th, one element raised eyebrows among many.

Just a few weeks ago, we learned that the famous new MF19 trains would offer fewer seats to their passengers. Now, it's a second blow for the metro enthusiasts. While we were sold on a mode of transport capable of charging our smartphones during the ride, it seems that it’s turning out to be more complicated than expected due to some issues with design delays. Let's explain.


Outdated outlets

Just a few months left to wait before the new MF19 trains hit the tracks on line 10 of the metro. These little wonders of technology that we were praising a short while ago, come with new braking systems that are less polluting and noisy, and spacious corridors...smooth traffic flow, or even the availability of USB ports to recharge your phone while heading to your destination.

However, here's the thing: it didn't take into account the lack of common sense from some people, who decided to install not USB-C ports, which have now become the standard almost everywhere, but USB-A ports, their ancestors, which we haven't seen the likes of since 2022. So, yes, we might be exaggerating just a tad, of course, there are still some around. But at a time when Europe is enforcing a universal charging system aimed at gradually phasing out USB-A, it really feels like an audacious choice, and especially very disappointing.


Too long communication delays

To justify this choice, IDFM, asked by the newspaper Numerama, explained that this unusual choice was due to a too long delay between the Proposal and the design of the project, and its manufacturing. It’s worth mentioning that when the MF19 first started to emerge in 2014, the USB-A still reigned supreme over all our plugs. We would have simply loved if in a decade, someone had the brilliant idea to change all that. But hey, we shouldn't push it.

Just a reminder, these new trains will be visible by the end of 2025 on the line 10! Seven other lines will be gradually equipped over the next 8 years, with a clear goal: by 2033, the lines 3, 3 bis, 7, 7 bis, 8, 10, 12, and 13 will all be fitted with these trains featuring adjustable ventilation and higher quality visual and audio announcements.