Siemens Mobility has been awarded a major contract by French public transport operator RATP to fully automate Paris Metro Line 13, one of the busiest lines in the network. The project will deploy Siemens Mobility’s latest CBTC GoA4 driverless automation system, transforming operations to deliver greater capacity, improved service reliability and optimised energy use.
The agreement, following a 2022 decision by Île-de-France Mobilités to automate Line 13, includes the provision of the new automation system, a fully renovated Operations Control Centre (OCC), and the installation of equipment on 66 trains. An optional maintenance agreement of up to 30 years is also part of the package.
The project builds on Siemens Mobility’s strong track record in Paris, where its technology is already in use on Lines 1, 4 and 14. The company’s GoA4 system enables fully automated, driverless operation, replacing the current GoA2 system, which requires drivers to manage doors and safety functions while acceleration and braking are automated.
Marc Ludwig, CEO of Siemens Mobility Rail Infrastructure, said:
“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 decarbonised, 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.”
Implementation timeline
The modernisation of Line 13 will begin with the introduction of new rolling stock in 2027. Full automation is scheduled for completion by late 2032, when Line 13 will be capable of driverless operations across its 24-kilometre route.
The programme will include:
- Equipping the new fleet with automation technology,
- Renovation of the OCC,
- Staff training for the transition to driverless operations,
- Deployment of enhanced passenger information systems.
Siemens Mobility’s global centre of excellence for rail automation and cybersecurity in Châtillon, near Paris, will lead the design and delivery. The site employs more than 500 engineers specialising in advanced signalling systems.
Benefits for passengers
The adoption of GoA4 technology is expected to bring several benefits to passengers:
- Increased capacity through shorter train intervals,
- Dynamic service frequency adjustments based on demand,
- Greater reliability and optimised energy consumption,
- Improved passenger information onboard trains.
Siemens Mobility previously implemented a world-first on Line 14, upgrading an existing driverless system to CBTC GoA4 while simultaneously extending automation to new sections. This enabled the line to carry up to one million passengers daily with train intervals as short as 85 seconds.
A vital north–south link
Line 13 is a crucial north–south artery of the Paris Metro, running 24 km with 32 stations from Châtillon-Montrouge in the south to Saint-Denis-Université and Les Courtilles in the north. It connects major hubs including Saint-Lazare and Montparnasse-Bienvenüe.
Carrying more than 550,000 passengers each day, the line is among the busiest in the Paris network, with particularly heavy demand on its northern branches. The automation project is intended to address overcrowding and support the city’s long-term mobility and climate objectives.
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