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The European Investment Bank (EIB) announces a EUR 300 million loan to Lille Métropole to modernise and increase the capacity of the world’s first driverless metro system, providing the growing number of passengers with a quality public transport service.

The first €100 million instalment was signed on Thursday 29 August 2013 in Lille by the President of Lille Métropole, Martine Aubry, and EIB Vice-President Philippe de Fontaine Vive Curtaz.

This is a major loan for a project to upgrade and improve the service on the metro and double the rolling stock on line 1, with the main aim of substantially increasing the capacity of the two light automated vehicle lines.

The loan will finance the purchase of 27 new 52-metre trains accommodating up to 420 passengers, the first of which will be brought into service in early 2016, plus the modification of the platforms at 18 stations on line 1. The automatic driving system and related systems and equipment will be replaced and the tunnel will be brought into greater compliance with fire safety regulations.

At the same time, 26 trains currently in service will be coupled and the total capacity of line 1 will be doubled. A number of trains currently operating on line 1 will be switched to line 2, whose capacity will thus be increased by 30%.

This project forms part of Lille Métropole proactive policy of doubling public transport use by 2020 on a network capable of catering for 265 million journeys a year compared to 160 million today. It will improve the daily life of the city’s inhabitants by providing them with an efficient and sustainable public transport service. 

At a time when local authorities are facing problems accessing credit, this long-term loan on favourable terms made possible by the EIB’s triple A rating will serve to optimise the overall financing plan for this €610 million project.  It represents a continuation of the quality partnership between Lille Métropole and the EIB. At the national level, it is indicative of the EU bank’s strong commitment to supporting innovative projects that foster sustainable development, growth and employment in France, to which the Bank has devoted nearly €4 billion since January 2013.

Documentation (FR)