Metro: How Paris is modernizing Line 8 for 2023

The modernization plan approved by Île-de-France Mobilités announces the renovation of 44 trains starting in 2023, before the arrival of the MF19 metros in 2030.

Finally some good news for users of Line 8! On Wednesday, December 7th, the Board of Directors of Île-de-France Mobilities approved a plan to modernize Line 8. The recurring problems caused by aging trains had started to impact the morale of Francilians. This project will begin in 2023, spanning over 7 years, culminating in the arrival of the future metros: the MF19s.

Renovating all trains on Line 8

The choice of this line is no coincidence. Line 8 is the second longest metro line in the network, with 23.4 km and 38 stations served. Additionally, “an anticipated increase in ridership by 2035” is announced by Île-de-France Mobilités. Modernization involves numerous adaptation works which, moreover, take a considerable amount of time. To avoid disrupting travelers, IDF Mobilités has devised a schedule. It is divided into 3 parts and takes into account “lead times for ordering railway equipment, as well as complex logistics“, which must be completed.

Alongside Line 7, modernization works for the trains running on Line 8, the MF77, have already begun. The goal is to improve passenger comfort with “more brightness, new colors and more modern coverings.” Fifteen trains have already been renovated, and the remaining 44 will be refurbished between 2023 and 2026.

The arrival of MF19s in 2030

Starting in 2025, the project will enter a second phase. This will include the installation of a new maintenance workshop for trains in the communes of Créteil and Valenton, designed to accommodate the new MF19 models. Concurrently, modernization works on infrastructure and systems will be carried out. Île-de-France Mobilités aims to prepare for the arrival of the MF19s by 2030 and to improve the performance of Line 8.

The MF19s will notably equip lines 3, 3b, 7, 7b, 8, 10, 12 as well as Line 13. More spacious and more efficient, they will be gradually tested on these lines and officially put into service in 2030. These new metros will offer enhanced onboard comfort and better performance. They will feature an onboard video surveillance system, improved traffic regulation through a centralized control center, and a 13% increase in capacity. Exciting news for this line used by 108 million passengers, whose travel conditions will be transformed.

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