After seven years of work, users were finally able to discover Monday afternoon the extension of line 14, between Saint-Lazare and Mairie-de-Saint-Ouen.
The official inauguration took place in the presence of the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, several members of the government, the mayor (PS) of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, or even Valérie Pécresse, president (Libres!) Of Ile-de -France Mobilities.
Once the speeches were over, the travelers were able to take possession of “their” extended line 14.
Reportage.
It is 4:05 p.m.
Massed behind the gates of the Mairie de Saint-Ouen station, a crowd of users impatiently awaits their turn.
The RATP mascot, Serge le Lapin, is there, arousing curiosity.
Suddenly, the gates rise.
Applause resounded.
Quietly, but with some excitement, the masked travelers make their way to the porticoes.
The atmosphere is joyful.
Serge the Rabbit lends himself to the game of selfies.
Julia, a resident of Saint-Ouen, is among the first to set foot in the resort.
“We've been waiting for it for 10 years!” She exclaims.
To go to Paris, it's hell, line 13 is overcrowded all the time.
I am here out of curiosity.
I will take a walk to the Olympics and come back.
"
"We've been waiting for it for 10 years!"
exclaims Julia upon discovering the new Mairie-de-Saint-Ouen metro station.
LP / Olivier Arandel
The commissioning of an additional 5.8 km of tunnel should relieve line 13, one of the most saturated on the network.
The opening of four new stations (Mairie de Saint-Ouen, Saint-Ouen, Pont Cardinet, then Porte de Clichy in January) saves time and convenience.
The city of Seine-Saint-Denis is only 15 minutes from Châtelet.
During rush hour, a metro will pass every 85 seconds.
And the new MP14 trainsets, 120 meters long, will be able to carry up to 1,000 people at a time.
René, a retired metro driver, admires him.
“In my day, we drove by touching a copper switch!
There is a historic moment.
It's the metro of the future, ”he comments.
Dressed in a purple coat, like the color of line 14, Andrea is clearly visible in one of the escalators leading down to the platforms, located more than 20 meters deep.
“I am relieved… I have started cycling since the Covid crisis, because taking the 13 right now is not possible.
With a comfortable metro like that, I will go to Paris more often and with pleasure, ”she anticipates.
“With a comfortable metro like this, I will go to Paris more often and with pleasure,” says Andréa, wearing a purple coat.
LP / Olivier Arandel
"It makes you want to take the metro"
Sheila is waiting for the metro for the first time at Pont Cardinet station.
“It's super beautiful!
she marvels.
This extension makes my life easier.
I live in Saint-Ouen and I work in Paris.
I will gain several minutes morning and evening ”.
Annie, a 17th century resident, moved with her three grandchildren.
“Our neighborhood is nice, but transport was a problem.
With the elevators, you can travel with a stroller, which is appreciable… ”, she comments, interrupted by the children who want to get on the train.
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The extension of the automatic line is a day "that marks a Parisian", confides Christophe, a resident of the Batignolles district (Paris, 17th century).
“What strikes me is that the stations are very deep.
It's well lit, and more ventilated than 13, where we are crowded.
After it will be necessary to see in a daily use.
In any case, it makes you want to take the metro, that's for sure, ”says the 50-year-old who travels most often… by bike.
Christophe, a Parisian cyclist, appreciates the space and the light of the Pont Cardinet station.
LP / Olivier Arandel
"The central section in Paris will be crowded"
The extension to the north, an investment of 1.5 billion euros, is only the first stage in the extension of the line.
In 2024, the 14 should serve Saint-Denis Pleyel, and extend to the south of 12 km, between Olympiades and Orly airport.
The 14 will then constitute the real backbone of the metropolitan network, while waiting for the lines of the Grand Paris Express.
Ridership of the 14 is expected to increase from 550,000 to one million passengers per day by 2024.
“It's impressive… But my fear is that the 14 will quickly be saturated.
The central section in Paris will be crowded, ”Antoine fears.
LP / Olivier Arandel
Posted above the tracks, Antoine, camera in hand, shoots an MP14 train which is passing at this time.
“I am passionate about public transport,” says this computer science student, who came from Vitry-sur-Seine (Val-de-Marne) to attend the event.
It's impressive ... But my fear is that the line will quickly be saturated.
The central section in Paris is going to be crowded.
"
VIDEO. New line 14 in Saint-Ouen: "It's a day of celebration!"