Paris' Transit System EXPLAINED - Paris Metro, RER, Transilien and more!

Now for something a little different than my usual content! I took a trip to Paris a little while ago, and while I was there I was able to get a look at a lot of the transit system around the city. In this video, I cover getting around Paris on the Metro, RER commuter rail system, and the Transilien regional rail system. So come and watch along to learn how people in this huge city get around!

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:09 BNE-DXB-CDG Travel Montage
00:47 Overview of Transit Modes
02:54 Paris Metro
07:40 RER Regional Express
09:53 Transilien
12:57 Future Topics

[TransportVlog]

Nice video Steve! Great overview of the extensive Paris public transport system!

[RGC]

Hi Steve, thanks for sharing your interesting public transport experiences in Paris. The double deck trains remind me a bit of the trains in Sydney. Wishing you the very best. Rob in Melbourne Australia.

[KyrilPG]

M13 is the line with many stations equipped with platform screen doors, despite not being a driverless line. It is to help cope with the congestion and reduce risks.
M1, M4 and M14 are fully equipped with platform screen doors as they are fully automated.
Most driver operated lines have autopilot (except 3bis, 7bis and 10), a kind of GoA2 system. M10 is being equipped with the new system.

You'll have to come back soon as it is truly a transit-a-palooza in Paris right now and up to 2030 or later.
Since your visit, M11 has seen its rolling stock, the venerable 4-car MP59, being retired and replaced by new 5-car MP14 trains that are fantastic. They are of the "CC" version (with cab), for rubber lines with drivers, but its driver cab is removable as this model is compatible with full automation. M11 should be converted to full driverless operations some time in the future.

The 8-car MP14's have also arrived on line M14, in CA version (for automated no-cab) replacing the 6-car MP89-CA transferred to line M4, themselves replacing MP89-CC (CC for driver cab) trains transferred to line M6 and replacing the good old MP73 that is being retired like the MP59.

In December 2023, tram line T12 is set to open.
In spring 2024, the following parts are set to open:
The Western extension of tramway line T3b up to Porte Dauphine, with an interchange station at Porte Maillot connecting with line M1, RER C and the new RER E station.
The Eastern extension of metro line M11.
The small North and large South extensions (to Orly airport) of M14.
The first phase of RER E's huge Western extension, from Haussmann Saint-Lazare to La Défense or Nanterre, including new stations Porte Maillot, La Défense and possibly Nanterre la Folie. That's a large 8km tunnel extension under the Western side of the core city and the business district.
RER D & E are also receiving the all new RER NG trains that look a bit like the Regio 2N, with both single and dual level cars.

M14 and M11's extensions are the first parts of the humongous Grand Paris Express project to open.

They'll be followed in 2025 by the South section of M15, the huge fully deep underground, 75km long circular metro line around Paris. This first section is the longest of the three sections, with about 35km. From Pont de Sèvres in the West to Noisy-Champs in the East.
As you mentioned, Cable C1, the first "telecabin" gondola system in Paris is expected to open in 2025 too.

Then several tramway extensions, new metro lines and extensions or phases.
Plus half a dozen proper busway BRT lines with "trambus" vehicles.

Something new every new till at least 2030!
In total, that's (today) about 360 kilometers of new transit lines in the next 7-8 years, and counting as there will very probably be new additions.
The "projects and works" page of Île-de-France Mobilités website has plenty of expansions listed and many more not listed as they haven't yet reached an advanced enough stage.
This page currently lists 14 different rail-based projects in advanced building status, 5 in advanced study or preliminary work stage and 1 in pre-study.


Another visit in late spring 2024, before the Olympics' crowds flood the city, would be in order to experience all the new fancy transit infrastructure.
Sometimes it feels like a transit freak's christmas wishlist becoming reality.

And trust me, it's about time given the saturation issues Paris is having. The Grand Paris Express project's expected ridership has been revised from 2 to at least 3 million daily riders, which is making some worry that all these extensions and expansions may not be enough to handle the crowds.
RER lines A & B are respectively Europe's busiest and second busiest train lines (and probably the world outside of Asia). RER A's massive trains can carry more than 2600 passengers and there's no sign of attendance going anywhere else than up. The 2020 pandemonium was only a temporary relief.
While M1 is not the overall busiest metro line, it has the highest ridership per kilometer in Europe.
Frequency is already super high, with some lines being set at 80 or 85 seconds at peak time and the physical limit is pretty much reached.
So everyone is eagerly awaiting the opening of RER E West to alleviate the load on M1 and RER A, and the opening of the whole Grand Paris Express scheme to give some air.

That was a very nice video!
Greetings from Paris.

[ChasMusic]

¡That's complex! ¿Do they have a trip planner?