MP 14 (Paris Métro)

The MP 14 (Métro Pneu appel d'offres de 2014; Rubber-tyred metro ordered in 2014) is a rubber-tyred electric multiple unit for the Paris Métro. Manufactured by Alstom as part of the Alstom Metropolis family of units, it is the seventh generation of the rubber-tyred class of trains to be used on the system and is used on Line 14, Line 4 and Line 11. In the future, trains could be ordered for Line 1 and Line 6.

The automated (driverless) version of MP 14 started entering service on Line 14 in 2020, and on Line 4 in 2022, and a manually operated version started entering service on Line 11 in June 2023. The roll-out of the MP 14 is causing a significant reshuffle of the Métro's rubber-tyred fleet. The Paris Métro will then redeploy their MP 89 CA (MP 89–6) and 11 MP 05 trains from Line 14 to Line 4, and redeploy their MP 89 CC (MP 89–5) trains from Line 4 on Line 6, and withdraw all remaining MP 59 and MP 73 trains from use on Line 11 and Line 6, respectively.

Background
Recent changes in government regulations regarding rail transport (ORTF Law of 8 December 2009) now require that the STIF contribute 50% of funding for replacement rolling stock (as seen with the MF 01 purchase for Line 9), and 100% of funding for rolling stock for new lines and extensions (as seen with the MP 05 purchase for Line 14). As a result, the STIF began compiling a master plan to analyze how to replace existing rolling stock with a new stock that can meet the needs of the growing Metro network. The results of the findings justified the need for a brand new series of rubber-tyred rolling stock.

The new rolling stock will increase capacity on some lines and replace older rolling stock on other lines. In 2012, STIF identified the need to expand capacity on Line 14, due to the planned simultaneous extensions north to Saint-Denis–Pleyel and south to Aéroport d'Orly. Therefore, the STIF deemed it urgent to extend the train-sets from six to eight cars, something that was not fully realised on the Metro prior to the construction of Line 14 (all of the existing stations on the line are capable of handling eight-car train formations). The STIF also identified the need to replace the ageing MP 59 stock on Line 11 and the MP 73 stock on Line 6, both of which were predicted to reach the end of their useful lives by around 2020.

Orders
In January 2015, RATP awarded the framework contract for the MP 14 trains to Alstom at an overall cost of €2 billion. An initial order of 35 eight-car fully-automated trains for Line 14 was confirmed with a cost of around €500m. Further batches have subsequently been ordered - 20 six-car fully-automated trains for Line 4 ordered in December 2016 at a cost of €163m, 20 five-car manually-driven trains for Line 11 ordered in February 2018 at a cost of €157m, and an additional 19 trains for Line 11 ordered in July 2021.

Deliveries
In 2019, the first MP 14 was delivered to the RATP. It was first tested on Line 1, as the northern section and new workshop of Line 14 had not been completed. Tests including emergency braking, stopping in front of platform screen doors, as well as general endurance testing were undertaken at night while Line 1 was closed. After around a year, the train returned to Alstom to be fitted out for passenger service.

Line 14
In June 2020, the first production MP 14 arrived on line 14. It was tested for 3 months with agents on board, and was introduced into passenger service in October 2020. Since that date approximately, 2 trains have been delivered per month by Alstom, where they remain for 2 weeks in final tests, then are introduced into passenger service on the line. Unlike the MP 89 CA and MP 05, MP 14 trains are 8 cars in length (MP 14–8), and therefore the introduction of them into passenger service greatly increases capacity on Line 14.

Line 4
In 2019, a test train was delivered to carry out tests on Line 4 at night and on Sunday mornings. A second joined it in March 2022. The MP 14 trains entered passenger service when the line began operating in full automation (injection of automatic trains into manual traffic) on 13 September 2022. The remaining 18 MP14s were delivered between June 2023 and January 2024. MP 14 trains on Line 4 are 6 cars in length (MP 14–6).

Line 11
Line 11 received an MP 14 in October 2021, which was initially used used for testing of the extension to Rosny–Bois-Perrier. MP 14 trains on Line 11 are 5 cars in length (MP 14–5), and unlike other MP 14 trains, they will be operated manually.

In October 2022 the online tests, with 4 trains, were extended to the elevated section of the extension. The trains are loaded with ballast, to simulate the presence of passengers, and have thus circulated at different speeds to check the good behavior of the viaduct.

Driving training for drivers was begun in January 2023. The installation of trains on Line 11 is as of May 2023, completed. The first trains entered commercial service on 1 June 2023. Before mid-July, all 18 MP 14 will be in service on the line, entering service at a rate of 4 per week.

Description
Like its predecessor the MP 89, this new class of rubber-tyred rolling stock will be divided into two subclasses:


 * A fully automated (CA) class, with eight cars per train (MP 14–8), operating on Line 14. A six car CA variant (MP 14–6) entered service on Line 4, after the line was retrofitted for automatic operations.
 * A manually-driven (CC) class, with five cars per train (MP 14–5), to replace the MP 59 stock on Line 11.

Exterior
The train looks very different from the previous generations MP 89 and MP 05 with their pointed noses (designed by Roger Tallon, creator of the TGV design among others). The front of the train has a flat face, with a LED strip. The body is curved like the MF 77 stock in order to save some space. The windows no longer have perfectly rectangular glass surfaces, but now have rounded corners.

The MP14 wear a Île-de-France Mobilités livery (featuring white with grey accents and light blue stripes), replacing the RATP jade green livery used on older models.

On the manually-driven MP 14's on Line 11, the end window will be replaced with a cabin access door.



Interior
Inside the train, the predominant colour is white with gray-beige at lower levels. The seats are blue, with red for the reserved places. Their arrangement is transverse 2 + 1/2 + 0, with spaces for suitcases and baggage. Space for wheelchairs are also located throughout the train.

The lighting is exclusively LED, including the vertical strips along the columns near the doors which turn orange when doors are closing (accompanied by a loud audio cue).

Passenger information is provided by AVSA (Annonces Visuelles et Sonores Automatiques), with an illuminated line plan above the doors, as well as audible announcements. There are also LCD screens which display the next stop, connections, the destination of the train, the geographic route of the line and — when approaching the station — the plan of the platforms and exits in relation to its position in the train, similar to displays in Japan.

Trains are equipped with full air conditioning to maintain a pleasant temperature, and therefore the windows cannot be opened.

Technical characteristics
The MP14, like its predecessors, uses the CL449 type bogie with iron wheels and tires. They are designed for use at 80 km/h in normal service. These are mono-motor bogies, whose engine is in the central position, and in the axis. It is equipped with two suspensions: rubber spring for the primary, and pneumatic spring for the secondary, allowing significant comfort. The MP 14 trains are 20% more energy efficient than the previous generation of rubber-tyred trains - the MP 05.

The power control system is an OniX 572 type inverter using IGBT components manufactured by Alstom. All traction, motors and inverters, is supervised by AGATE (Advanced Gec Alstom Traction Electronic).

Line 4
uses driverless trains in a 6-car formation, MP 14–6 (4M2T). The extension to Bagneux–Lucie Aubrac was opened in 2022, and, as of March 2022, the automation of the line is set to be completed by the end of 2023.

As of 2 January 2024, 18 6-car sets are allocated to Saint-Ouen depot for use on Line 4.

Line 11
uses manually driven trains in a 5-car formation, MP 14–5 (3M2T) (unlike the current 4-car MP 59s).

As of 14 April 2024, 32 5-car sets are allocated to Rosny depot for use on Line 11.

Line 14
uses driverless trains in an 8-car formation, MP14–8 (5M3T). Line 14 was the first line to receive the MP 14.

As of 1 July 2024, 55 8-car sets are allocated to Saint-Ouen and Morangis depots for use on Line 14.


 * "M" motorized car
 * "T" Trailer car