View source for Lille Metro

{{Short description|Driverless light metro in Lille, France}}
{{About|the rapid transit system in Lille|the city's metropolitan area|European Metropolis of Lille|the larger metropolitan area including cities in Belgium|Eurometropolis Lille–Kortrijk–Tournai}}
{{Expand French|Métro de Lille Métropole|fa=yes|date=August 2015|topic=transport}}
{{Update|date=April 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox Public transit
| name = Lille Metro
| image = Lille Metro Logo 2017.svg
| imagesize = 75px
| image2 = CHR Oscar-Lambret métro de Lille Métropole 2.JPG
| imagesize2 = 
| caption2 = Oscar Lambret metro station
| native_name = ''Métro de Lille''
| locale = [[Lille]], France
| transit_type = [[Medium-capacity rail system]]
| lines = 2<ref name="figures" />
| stations = 60<ref name="figures" />
| ridership = 271,230 (2011)<ref name="ridership" />
| annual_ridership = 99 million (2011)<ref name="ridership">{{cite web |url=http://www.lilletransport.com/Les-chiffres-de-frequentation.html?lang=fr |title=Les chiffres de fréquentation Transpole 2011  |publisher=Lille Transport - Parlons mobilité |language=fr |trans-title=The figures of frequentation Transpole 2011 |date=February 11, 2012 |access-date=2013-09-25}}</ref>
| website = 
| began_operation = {{Start date|1983|4|25|df=y}}<ref name="history">{{cite web |url=http://mobilite.transpole.fr/fr/le-reseau/qui-sommes-nous.aspx |title=Qui sommes-nous? - Notre Histoire |publisher=Transpole |language=fr |trans-title=Who are we? - Our History |access-date=2012-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925113223/http://mobilite.transpole.fr/fr/le-reseau/qui-sommes-nous.aspx |archive-date=2012-09-25 }}</ref>
| operator = [[Ilévia]]
| vehicles = 
| system_length = {{cvt|45|km}}<ref name="figures" />
| track_gauge = 
| map = {{switcher
| [[File:Map of Lille metro lines 1 and 2.svg|250px|center]]
| Show static map
| {{Rapid transit OSM map
| system_qid   = Q610729
| frame-align  = left
| frame-lat    = 50.67
| frame-long   = 3.08
| frame-width  = 300
| frame-height = 300
| zoom         = 10
| length       = yes
}}
| Show interactive map
| {{Lille Metro|inline=yes}}
| Show route diagram
}}
}}

The '''Lille Metro''' ({{langx|fr|'''Métro de Lille'''}}) is a driverless [[Medium-capacity rail system|light metro]] system located in [[Lille]], France. It commenced operations on 25 April 1983 and was the first system to implement the [[Véhicule Automatique Léger]] (VAL, {{lit|light automated vehicle}}) technology. While sometimes cited as the world’s first fully automated driverless metro,<ref>Bushell, Chris, ed. Jane's Urban Transport Systems 1995-96. Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group; 1995. p178, 472</ref> this distinction in fact belongs to the [[Port Island Line]] in [[Kobe]], Japan, which became operational two years earlier. The Lille Metro comprises two lines, serving 60 stations across a {{convert|45|km|adj=on}} network.<ref name="figures">{{cite web |url=http://mobilite.transpole.fr/fr/le-reseau/chiffres-cles.aspx |title=Les chiffres clés |publisher=Transpole |language=fr |trans-title=Key figures |access-date=2012-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027120402/http://mobilite.transpole.fr/fr/le-reseau/chiffres-cles.aspx |archive-date=2012-10-27 }}</ref> It constitutes a fundamental component of Lille's integrated public transport system, which also includes the [[Lille tramway]] and bus services, all managed under the [[Ilévia]] brand.

== History ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}
In the 1960s the decentralisation of the city of Lille was considered; some towns of the Lille region were isolated and were poorly served by existing public transport, while the centre of Lille was congested with traffic and buses. The decentralisation resulted in the creation of the Public Establishment of Lille East development (EPALE) in 1968. In the 1970s, a plan for a proposed four line light metro system was developed, favouring the VAL system over conventional rail systems.

=== Construction of Line 1 ===
Construction started in 1978, and the first section was opened on 25 April 1983 between ''Quatre Cantons'' ("Four Townships") and ''République''. On 2 May 1984 line 1 was completed, with a length of {{Convert|13.5|km|mi}} ({{Convert|8.5|km|mi|disp=or}} underground), linking ''CHR B Calmette'' (''centre hospitalier régional'': "regional hospital centre") to ''Quatre Cantons'' via ''[[Gare de Lille Flandres]]''. 

===Line 1 extension and the creation of a second line===
While line one opened in April 1983 between 4 Cantons and République; it was extended, with the extension from République and C.H.R. B Calmette opening on 2 May 1984. The cost of opening the first line in both its phases cost about 2 billion Francs. {{citation needed| date=July 2018}}

Construction of line two began in April 1985. A depot was opened on the second line at Villeneuve d'Ascq, after the terminus of the line Saint Philibert in Lomme. Line one became operational in late 1988 with testing being carried out for four months. In 1989, COMELI which runs the metro merged with COTRALI, which runs the bus and tram networks into a unified public transport body.

Line 2 opened on 3 April 1989 and it connects Lille with its two large suburban towns, [[Roubaix]] and [[Tourcoing]], reaching ''CH Dron'' (''centre hospitalier'': "hospital centre") near the [[Belgium|Belgian]] border on 27 October 2000. It is {{Convert|32|km|mi}} long with 44 stations.{{fact|date=November 2021}}
Both lines have [[platform screen doors]] at all stations, being the second metro to have platform doors, after the [[Saint Petersburg Metro]].

The section between Lille and neighbouring towns of [[Roubaix]] and [[Tourcoing]] was built and opened in four stages. The first extension was inaugurated on 5 May 1994; the underground section has a length of {{Convert|500|m|ftin}} and connects the Euralille business area to the rest of Lille.

The third part is the longest to be opened, making about {{Cvt|13|km}}. It became operational in March 1999 and commissioned on 18 August that year. This section goes through the towns of [[Villeneuve d'Ascq]], [[Wasquehal]], Croix, Roubaix and stops in downtown Tourcoing. Though the route is mainly underground, the metro runs on a {{Cvt|1.3|km}} viaduct between the stations of [[Fort Mons]] and [[Jean-Jaures]]. The final section was inaugurated on 27 October 2000 by Prime Minister [[Lionel Jospin]].

===Plans for third and fourth lines===
While a system of four lines was initially planned in the 1970s, only two lines have been built. Lille Métropole Urban Community (now called CUDL) indicates in its urban transport plan (PDU) adopted in June 2000 that 'the subway construction cost does not allow new achievements'. In 2003 a third line was estimated to cost €810 million; a cost considered prohibitive so the city explored surface networks instead; making investments in its bus and tram systems. In 2010, the vice president of urban transport, Eric Quiquet confirmed this decision by stating that the LMCU 'plans no more new metro lines' and that 'the priority is the development of the network of buses, urban tramway, the tram-train'.

== Operations ==
[[File:Ligne 1 du métro de Lille Métropole - Garage-atelier des Quatre Cantons (19).JPG|thumb|left|VAL tracks on the system.]]
Line 1 is {{convert|13.5|km|mi}} long ({{convert|8.5|km|mi}} of which is underground) and serves 18 stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lillemetropole.fr/mel/decouverte/grands-projets/nouvelle-ligne-1-du-metro/le-projet-de-doublement-des-rame.html|title=De 26 à 52 métres : un métro deux fois plus long pour une capacité de transport renforcée|publisher=Lille Metropole Communauté Urbaine|language=fr|trans-title=From 26 to 52 meters: a subway twice as long for increased transport capacity|access-date=2015-06-26}}</ref>

Trains are {{convert|2|m|ftin|frac=8}} wide and {{convert|26|m|ftin|frac=8}} long (composed of permanently coupled two-car sets), and are [[Rubber-tyred metro|rubber-tyred]]. Platforms are {{convert|52|m|ftin|frac=8}} in length (though only half of the platform length is currently open to the public), long enough for two units. Each unit can carry 156 passengers.

The metro operates from 5:00&nbsp;a.m. until midnight, with trains every 1½ to 4 minutes (every 66 seconds during [[rush hour]]), and every 6 to 8 minutes early mornings and evenings.<ref name="metro-lines">{{cite web |url=http://www.transpole.fr/fr/metro_tram/lignes-metro.aspx |title=Les lignes de métro |publisher=Transpole |language=fr |trans-title=The lines of the metro |access-date=2013-09-25 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927220726/http://www.transpole.fr/fr/metro_tram/lignes-metro.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> On Sundays there is a train every 2 to 6 minutes.<ref name="metro-lines" /> A one-way ticket costs €1.80.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transpole.fr/fr/pass-pass-et-tarifs/titres-occasionnels.aspx |title=Les titres occasionnels |publisher=Transpole |language=fr |trans-title=The occasional (titles) |access-date=2013-09-25}}</ref>

== Planned capacity expansion ==
Since January 2013, work to double the capacity of Line 1 has been ongoing. The platforms are being lengthened to be used with new {{Convert|52|m|ftin}} long trains built by [[Alstom]]. This expansion was expected to be complete in autumn 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lillemetropole.fr/mel/actualites-metropole-lille/transports-mobilite/nouvelle-ligne-1-du-metro/52m-reconfiguration-des-rames.html|title=Nouvelle ligne 1: Alstom entame la modification des rames|publisher=Lille Metropole Communauté Urbaine|language=fr|trans-title=New Line 1: Alstom starts the modification of trains|date=23 September 2013|access-date=2015-06-26}}</ref> but was still not completed as of January 2024.<ref>[https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/hauts-de-france/nord-0/lille/doublement-des-rames-de-metro-a-lille-la-metropole-et-alstom-s-affrontent-devant-la-justice-2899418.html]</ref> The former [[Véhicule Automatique Léger|VAL 208]] of the first line will then be transferred to Line 2 to increase its passenger capacity as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lillemetropole.fr/nouvelleligne1;jsessionid=1D6DA90532E732DA69FB1DBDCE9EE27A |title=La nouvelle ligne 1 : plus de de fluidité, plus de confort, plus de services |publisher=Lille Metropole Communauté Urbaine |language=fr |trans-title=The new line 1: more fluidity, more comfort, more services |access-date=2015-06-26 |quote=Menés entre 2013 et 2017, ces travaux répondent à la hausse constante du trafic de la ligne 1. Ils visent à anticiper sa saturation future, par une augmentation de sa capacité de transport. [Carried out between 2013 and 2017, these works respond to the constant increase in traffic on line 1. They aim to anticipate its future saturation by increasing its transport capacity.] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627134325/http://www.lillemetropole.fr/nouvelleligne1%3Bjsessionid%3D1D6DA90532E732DA69FB1DBDCE9EE27A |archive-date=2015-06-27 }}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
File:Metro port de Lille.jpg|Port de Lille station.
File:Lille VAL 208.jpg|One of the 60 [[Siemens]] VAL 208 trains.
File:Ligne 1 du métro de Lille Métropole - Garage-atelier des Quatre Cantons (11).JPG|Showing [[rollway]]s and [[Railroad switch|switches]]
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Lille tramway]]
* [[List of metro systems]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commonscat-inline|Lille Metro}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150824031344/http://metromapworld.com/lille-metro-map/ Interactive Lille Metro Map]
* [https://www.ilevia.fr/ Ilevia] {{in lang|fr}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060527084530/http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/lil/lille.htm Lille at ''UrbanRail.net''] {{in lang|en}}
* [http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/lille_val/ Lille VAL Automated Urban Metro] {{in lang|en}}

{{Rapid transit in Europe}}
{{France Metro Tramway}}
{{Urban rail transit in EU}}

[[Category:Transport in Lille]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Lille]]
[[Category:Rapid transit in France]]
[[Category:VAL people movers]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Hauts-de-France]]
[[Category:Urban people mover systems]]
[[Category:People mover systems in France]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 1978]]
[[Category:Underground rapid transit in France]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1983]]