Alstom signs €300 million contract to modernize Lyon Metro Line D in France

Lyon, France (Metro Rail Today): Global mobility technology leader Alstom has signed a landmark contract worth over €300 million (approximately ₹2,725 crore) with SYTRAL Mobilités, the public transport authority of Lyon, to modernize Line D of the Lyon Metro, France’s deepest and longest underground driverless metro line. This major contract represents a significant advancement in upgrading urban transit infrastructure with cutting-edge automation, digital signalling, and next-generation rolling stock.

The project includes the supply of new rubber-tyred metro trains as well as an advanced signalling system tailored for fully automated operations. Alstom will deploy its proprietary Urbalis™ CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control) technology, enabling enhanced safety, reduced headways between trains, and more energy-efficient operations. In addition, the project involves updating power supply and track infrastructure, and integrating systems for improved passenger flow and accessibility.

Lyon’s Line D, which runs approximately 12.5 km through 15 stations, has been in operation since 1991 and was Europe’s first fully automatic metro line. With urban density rising and ridership expected to increase significantly in the coming decade, SYTRAL Mobilités is investing heavily in the modernization of its oldest driverless line to meet future capacity and performance needs.

The new rolling stock, to be manufactured by Alstom, will feature air-conditioned, spacious, and energy-efficient trains designed to minimize carbon emissions while offering a quieter, more comfortable ride. Enhanced accessibility, real-time passenger information systems, and a sleek design are also core to the upgrade.

The first new trains are expected to be delivered by 2028, following rigorous testing and system integration. Alstom will oversee the entire modernization process, ensuring minimal disruption to current services.

Commenting on the agreement, Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, President of Alstom France, said, “This project is emblematic of our commitment to sustainable, intelligent mobility. We’re proud to continue our historic partnership with Lyon’s transport network and contribute to making urban mobility smarter, greener, and more inclusive.”

The Lyon Metro modernization is in line with France’s broader decarbonization and public transport revitalization goals, with funding support from both regional and national programs. The project also reaffirms Alstom’s position as a global leader in driverless metro technology, having implemented similar solutions in Paris, Singapore, Dubai, and São Paulo.

As cities across Europe and beyond increasingly shift toward automated and low-carbon transport solutions, the Alstom-SYTRAL collaboration stands as a model for next-generation metro transformation, combining cutting-edge technology with passenger-centric design and environmental responsibility.