Grand Paris Express Enters Final Operational Testing on Line 18 Connecting Massy-Palaiseau to the Paris-Saclay Global Innovation Hub

Final Countdown for Île-de-France's Next Automated Metro Artery

PARIS, Île-de-France — In a monumental stride toward the completion of Europe’s largest urban transit infrastructure megaproject, the Société des Grands Projets (SGP) and regional transit authority Île-de-France Mobilités have commenced final integrated dynamic testing and safety dry runs along Section 1 of Grand Paris Express Line 18. Spanning 14 kilometers between the multi-modal hub of Massy-Palaiseau and Christ de Saclay, the driverless metro line is executing round-the-clock timetable simulations ahead of commercial passenger operations.

Line 18 serves as the dedicated rapid mass transit spine for the prestigious Paris-Saclay scientific and technological cluster, often dubbed the "Silicon Valley of Europe." The cluster represents more than 15 percent of French national research and development output, housing thousands of world-class scientists, tech entrepreneurs, and university students across the plateau.

Landmark Stations Connecting World-Class Academic Institutions

Section 1 activates four architecturally striking stations: Massy-Palaiseau (interchanging seamlessly with RER B, RER C, and national TGV high-speed rail), Massy Opéra, Palaiseau (Institut Polytechnique de Paris), and Moulon Campus (Université Paris-Saclay). Designed by leading international architectural studios, each station incorporates expansive glass atriums, natural daylight channels, and timber accents that harmonize with the green plateau landscape.

Once operational, the automated trains will slash travel times between Massy and the university campuses from 35-40 minutes on congested bus routes down to just 10 minutes, radically improving daily commutes for tens of thousands of students, researchers, and campus employees.

Alstom Automated Fleet and Panoramic Viaduct Engineering

Passenger service will be operated by Alstom’s newly manufactured, fully automated three-car metro trainsets capable of reaching top speeds of 100 km/h. Featuring continuous walkthrough carriages, panoramic floor-to-ceiling end windows, onboard regenerative braking, and intelligent air-conditioning systems, the trains offer unmatched comfort and energy efficiency.

A unique civil engineering hallmark of Line 18 is its sweeping 6.7-kilometer elevated concrete viaduct that traverses the agricultural and research lands of the Saclay plateau. Elevated up to 10 meters above ground level, the viaduct preserves fertile agricultural soils and natural water courses while delivering commuters breathtaking panoramic views across the valley.

Unlocking Outer Suburb Connectivity and Direct Orly Airport Link

Regional mobility officials highlighted that Line 18 redefines suburban connectivity by linking key research centers without requiring journeys through central Paris. Following the activation of this initial segment, construction continues on subsequent phases extending Line 18 eastward directly to Paris-Orly Airport and westward toward Versailles-Chantiers, ensuring a fully unified regional rapid transit network by 2030.