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Metro: Paris's worst line getting automated very soon!

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The Editor

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Lately, the capital's worst line, aka Line 13, has been getting on our nerves non-stop, closing its doors every Sunday morning (or almost), not to mention the usual traffic interruptions and occasional disruptions. Yet it seems like it might just be worth it after all…

For many of us, it's without a doubt the worst line in the capital. Even worse, it was even voted among the most disastrous in the world. And apparently, that didn't sit well with its ego, because since then, it's been bending over backwards to become more efficient and more pleasant. And good news, it seems that's happening faster than expected, with a number of changes on the horizon.


Soon no more drivers

The transformation we're waiting for most eagerly is undoubtedly the automation of the line. Indeed, after lines 1, 4 and 14, line 13 will be the next to go driverless. And the project should begin very soon, since as early as next year, stations will be equipped one by one with automatic platform screen doors. And if everything goes

goes as planned, it will only take "just" 8 little years for the light blue line to be completely operational without anyone at the controls. According to initial forecasts from the RATP, it should run in fully automatic mode starting in 2035! So yes, I know it sounds far away, but don't worry, it will go by fast.


An Interim Step

And this almost decade should fly by even faster as another major change is expected in the meantime on the capital's worst line — which should soon lose that title — : the arrival of the MF 19 trains ! On the agenda : modern cars featuring USB ports ; adjustable ventilation, so you don't die of heat in summer or cold in winter ; dedicated spaces for people with reduced mobility as well as easier access inside the train ; real-time information screens ; comfortable seats ; different spaces fwaiting between short or long trips, in short, everything you need to make life easier for all travelers. And on that front, the first trains should arrive as soon as next July!