Alstom has signed an agreement with SYTRAL Mobilités to deliver a comprehensive modernization of Line D on the Lyon metro network, France’s busiest metro route. The €303 million contract includes the supply of 26 new-generation driverless metro trains and a full overhaul of the line’s automation and signaling infrastructure.
Under this contract, Alstom will provide 26 fully automated MPL25 rubber-tyred metro trains valued at €145 million. In addition, the automation systems upgrade is estimated at €158 million. This initiative marks a new chapter for Line D as part of Lyon’s broader metro modernization efforts.
The new trains and signaling systems will be developed and manufactured entirely in France, with project coordination based in the Lyon region. The MPL25 trains, identical to the MPL16 units used on Line B, are designed to improve operational efficiency through interoperability and multiple-unit configurations.
Each train will offer space for over 300 passengers, featuring modern amenities such as large windows, energy-efficient LED lighting, passenger information displays, and refrigerated ventilation. Accessibility is a key focus, with wide entry points, spacious interiors, and accommodations for people with reduced mobility. The trains are also 96% recyclable and feature fully electric braking systems that reduce energy consumption and minimize particulate emissions.
Cybersecurity measures aligned with updated European standards will be built into the new trains and systems, reinforcing the network’s digital infrastructure. Line D will also undergo a full upgrade of its automatic control system using Alstom’s Urbalis technology. Originally a pioneer of wide-gauge automated metros in 1991, the 13 km line will receive a new driverless control solution designed for environments without platform screen doors. This will boost capacity, efficiency, and passenger comfort for the line’s 300,000 daily users.
Alstom brings more than three decades of experience in CBTC (Communications-Based Train Control) technology, with its Urbalis system already deployed on over 190 metro lines in 32 countries, including Lyon’s Line B.
The project will draw on the specialized expertise of seven Alstom facilities located throughout France to deliver a comprehensive and integrated rail solution. The Valenciennes site will handle trainset assembly and testing, while Ornans will be responsible for motor manufacturing. At Le Creusot, bogies will be produced, and the Tarbes facility will supply the traction systems critical for train performance.
Further contributions come from Villeurbanne, which will oversee onboard electronics, passenger systems, signaling, cybersecurity, and maintenance services. The Crespin site will focus on the modernization of MPL85 rolling stock, enhancing performance and extending service life. Meanwhile, the Saint-Ouen facility will lead the development of the advanced Urbalis signaling systems, ensuring safe and efficient train operations.
Together, these sites form a robust industrial network to support the project’s successful execution. Alstom remains a major contributor to France’s mobility ecosystem, employing over 2,000 specialists in digital transport solutions nationwide.
