The future Lille metro trains, it’s a bit like the Loch Ness Monster, a kind of urban legend. After having won the modernization contract of line 1 of the Lille metro, in 2012, the railway manufacturer Alstom accumulates delivery delays. The president of the metropolis, Damien Castelain, is angry with an industrialist who admits himself “unable to complete the work on time”.
The modernization project for the oldest line of the Lille metro was first to be completed in 2016, then 2019 then… To date, all that can be learned from these famous new 52 m trains, supposed to replace the old ones , is that they caused a huge breakdown in the subway in 2019 during a test. What we do know is that the manufacturer has all the trouble in the world to make the new autopilot system work.
“No prospect of ending the crisis”
A problem that is beginning to warm the ears of the president of the European Metropolis of Lille (MEL), the latter having nevertheless released 266 million euros to Alstom for this contract. “The management of Alstom has admitted to being unable to complete the work within the time allowed and has not given any prospect of ending the crisis”, got carried away, this Friday, Damien Castelain in a press release.
A damage for which Alstom has already been paying penalties since 2019. But that is no longer enough to calm things down. The MEL also intends to “use all possible legal remedies” and bring “actions” so that the manufacturer respects set goals. Especially since time is running out with the prospect of big events to come in the metropolis: the Rugby World Cup next year and the 2024 Olympics.
