View source for Lyon Metro

{{Short description|Rapid transit system in Lyon, France}}
{{Infobox public transit
| name             = 
| image            = Lyon tcl logo-metro-full.svg
| imagesize        = 120px
| caption          = 
| image2           = LyonMetroMosaic.jpg
| imagesize2       = 300px
| caption2         = 
| native_name      = ''Métro de Lyon''
| locale           = [[Metropolis of Lyon|Lyon Metropolis]], [[France]]
| transit_type     = [[Rapid transit]]
| lines            = 4<ref name="TLC" />
| stations         = 42
| ridership        = 810,000 (2025)<ref>{{cite web |title=Ensemble dessinons l'avenir du métro |url=http://sytral-mobilites.fr/UserFiles/File/projet/consultations-passees/consultation-metro/faq-en-savoir-plus/sytral-dossier-de-consultation-web.pdf |publisher=SYTRAL |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref>
| annual_ridership = 219,000,000 (2019)<ref>{{cite web |title=Ensemble dessinons l'avenir du métro |url=http://sytral-mobilites.fr/UserFiles/File/projet/consultations-passees/consultation-metro/faq-en-savoir-plus/sytral-dossier-de-consultation-web.pdf |publisher=SYTRAL |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref>
| began_operation  = {{Start date and age|9 December 1974}}
| operator         = [[Transports en commun lyonnais|TCL]]
| owner            = [[:fr:SYTRAL Mobilités|SYTRAL Mobilités<br><small>(in French)</small>]]
| vehicles         = 73
| system_length    = {{convert|34.4|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="lines" />
| el               = 750 [[volt|V]] [[direct current|DC]] [[guide bar]]s
| track_gauge      = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}} with [[roll way]]s along the [[Rail profile|rails]]
| map              = {{switcher
| [[File:Carte transports Lyon juillet 2022 version 2.png|200px]]
| Show static map
| {{Lyon Metro|inline=yes}}
| Show route diagram
}}
| map_state        = 
}}
{{Lyon transport|picture=no}}
The '''Lyon Metro''' ({{langx|fr|Métro de Lyon}}, {{IPA|fr|metʁo d(ə) ljɔ̃|}}) is a [[rapid transit]] system serving [[Metropolis of Lyon|Lyon Metropolis]], [[France]]. First opened in 1974, it currently consists of four lines, serving 42 stations and comprising {{convert|34.4|km|mi}} of route.<ref name="TLC">{{cite web |url=http://www.tcl.fr/Decouvrir-TCL/Le-reseau |title=TCL - Le réseau - Un réseau dense et complémentaire |publisher=TCL |language=fr |trans-title=TCL - The network - A dense and complementary network |access-date=2013-09-28}}</ref><ref name="lines">{{cite web |url=http://www.sytral.fr/425-les-lignes-de-metro-et-de-funiculaire.htm |title=Les lignes de Métro et de Funiculaire |publisher=SYTRAL |language=fr |trans-title=The lines of the metro and funiculars |access-date=2015-01-23}}</ref> Part of the [[Transports en commun lyonnais|Transports en Commun Lyonnais]] (TCL) system of public transport, it is supported by [[Funiculars of Lyon|two funiculars]] and a [[Lyon tramway|tramway network]].

Unlike other French metro systems, but like [[Réseau Express Régional|RER]] and other [[SNCF]] services, Lyon Metro trains run on the left. This is the result of an unrealised project to run the metro into the suburbs on existing railway lines. The [[loading gauge]] for all lines is {{convert|2.90|m|ftin|1|abbr=on}},<ref name=loading>{{cite web |url=http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/fr/lyon/lyon.htm |title=Lyon |website=UrbanRail.Net |access-date=2015-01-23}}</ref> more generous than the average for metros in Europe. The Lyon Metro has [[Rubber-tyred metro|rubber-wheel]] cars.

In 2025, the daily average ridership on the metro was 810,000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ensemble dessinons l'avenir du métro |url=http://sytral-mobilites.fr/UserFiles/File/projet/consultations-passees/consultation-metro/faq-en-savoir-plus/sytral-dossier-de-consultation-web.pdf |publisher=SYTRAL |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref>

==Routes==
The Lyon Metro consists of four lines, A, B, C and D, each identified on maps by its own colour:
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! Line
! Opened<ref name="SYTRAL" />
! Length<ref name="lines" />
! Stations<ref name="SYTRAL" />
! Termini
! Rolling stock
|-
| [[File:Lyon tcl metro-a.svg|20px|alt=Lyon Metro Line A|link=Lyon Metro Line A]]
| 1978
| {{convert|9.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| 14
| {{ublist|[[Perrache (quarter)|Perrache]]  <small>([[Lyon-Perrache station|railway station]])</small>|[[Vaulx-en-Velin–La Soie]]}}
| [[MPL 75]]
|-
| [[File:Lyon tcl metro-b.svg|20px|alt=Lyon Metro Line B|link=Lyon Metro Line B]]
| 1978
| {{convert|10.1|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| 12
| {{ublist|[[Charpennes–Charles Hernu station|Charpennes–Charles Hernu]]|[[Saint-Genis-Laval–Hôpital Lyon Sud]]}}
| [[MPL 16]]
|-
| [[File:Lyon tcl metro-c.svg|20px|alt=Lyon Metro Line C|link=Lyon Metro Line C]]
| 1974
| {{convert|2.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| 5
| {{ublist|[[Hôtel de Ville–Louis Pradel station|Hôtel de Ville–Louis Pradel]]|[[Cuire station|Cuire]]}}
| [[MCL 80]]
|-
| [[File:Lyon tcl metro-d.svg|20px|alt=Lyon Metro Line D|link=Lyon Metro Line D]]
| 1991
| {{convert|12.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| 15
| {{ublist|[[Gare de Vaise (Lyon Métro)|Gare de Vaise]] <small>([[Lyon-Vaise station|railway station]])</small>|[[Gare de Vénissieux (Lyon Métro)|Gare de Vénissieux]] <small>([[Vénissieux station|railway station]])</small>}}
| [[MPL 85]]
|}

=== Lines A and B ===
{{Main|Lyon Metro Line A|Lyon Metro Line B}}
[[Lyon Metro Line A|Line A]] from ''Perrache'' to ''Laurent Bonnevay–Astroballe'' and [[Lyon Metro Line B|Line B]] from ''Charpennes'' to ''[[Lyon-Part-Dieu station|Part-Dieu]]'' were constructed by cut-and-cover and went into service on 2 May 1978, as the inaugural lines of the Lyon Metro. Trains on both lines run on rubber tyres rather than steel wheels.

Line B was extended to ''Jean Macé'' on 9 September 1981, to ''Stade de Gerland'' on 4 September 2000<ref name="SYTRAL">{{cite web |url=http://www.sytral.fr/11-tcl-metro.htm |title=Le Métro sur le réseau TCL |publisher=TCL - SYTRAL |language=fr |trans-title=The Metro/Subway of TCL's network |access-date=2013-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008152119/http://www.sytral.fr/11-tcl-metro.htm |archive-date=2014-10-08}}</ref> as well as later to ''Gare d'Oullins'' on 11 December 2013.<ref name="Oullins">{{cite web |url=http://www.sytral.fr/69-metrob.htm |title=Le prolongement du métro B à Oullins |publisher=TCL - SYTRAL |language=fr |trans-title=Extension of the metro Line B to Oullins |access-date=2013-10-01}}</ref>

An extension to ''Vaulx-en-Velin–La Soie'' on Line A opened in October 2007.<ref name="SYTRAL" />

Since 2022, Line B is automated with new [[MPL 16]] rolling stock ordered to [[Alstom]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=France: Automatic Train Operation Begins on Lyon Metro Line B |url=https://railway-news.com/france-automatic-train-operation-begins-on-lyon-metro-line-b/ |date=2022-06-29 |access-date=2024-10-24}}</ref> The [[MPL 75]] trains previously used on Line B are meant to join the other MPL 75s on Line A to increase capacity.

An extension to Line B saw two stations, ''Oullins Centre'' and ''Saint-Genis-Laval–Hôpital Lyon Sud'' open on 20 October 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Le 20 octobre à 16h, le métro B arrive à Saint-Genis-Laval ! |url=https://www.tcl.fr/metro-b-prolongement |website=TCL |access-date=20 October 2023}}</ref>

=== Line C ===
{{Main|Lyon Metro Line C}}
The ''Croix-Rousse-Croix-Paquet'' [[rack railway]], which was refurbished in 1974,<ref name="SYTRAL" /> was integrated into the Metro in 1978 as [[Lyon Metro Line C|Line C]], with an extension to [[Hôtel de Ville–Louis Pradel station|Hôtel de Ville–Louis Pradel]]<ref name="SYTRAL" /> (thus running from ''Hôtel de Ville–Louis Pradel'' to ''Croix-Rousse''). It was extended to ''Cuire'' on 8 December 1984.<ref name="SYTRAL" />

The line was constructed using various methods; the incline rising through a deep tunnel, the portion on the flat at ''Croix-Rousse'' using cut-and-cover while the section beyond ''Hénon'' runs on the surface. The ''Croix Paquet'' station claims to be the steepest metro station in Europe, with an incline of 17%.

Line C uses overhead wires and steel wheels while Lines A, B and D use a [[third rail]] and rubber tyres. Until [[Paris Métro Line 15]] opens it is the only metro line in France to use overhead lines and the only steel wheeled metro line in France outside Paris.

=== Line D ===
{{Main|Lyon Metro Line D}}
[[Lyon Metro Line D|Line D]], the first fully automatic metro line in France, started with operators on board trains on 4 September 1991, between ''Gorge de Loup'' and ''Grange Blanche''. The line was extended to ''[[Vénissieux station|Gare de Vénissieux]]'' on 11 December 1992,<ref name="SYTRAL" /> when it switched to driverless operation. On 28 April 1997, it was extended again to ''[[Lyon-Vaise station|Gare de Vaise]]''.<ref name="SYTRAL" />

Using rubber tyres like lines A and B, trains on line D are controlled by a system known as MAGGALY (''Métro Automatique à Grand Gabarit de l’Agglomération Lyonnaise''). Unusually for a driverless metro, no [[platform screen doors]] are installed on station platforms. The trains use infrared sensors to detect obstructions on the track. Other systems using a similar technology include the [[Nuremberg U-Bahn]] ([[U2 (Nuremberg U-Bahn)|U2]] & [[U3 (Nuremberg U-Bahn)|U3]]) and [[Budapest Metro]]'s Line 4.

The deepest line in Lyon, Line D was constructed partly using [[Tunnel boring machine|boring machines]] and passes under both rivers, the [[Rhône]] and [[Saône]]. At {{convert|12.5|km|mi}} long with 15 stations,<ref name="SYTRAL" /> it is also the longest line in Lyon.

In 2016, new MPL 16 rolling stock was ordered from [[Alstom]] for Line B and Line D; it came into service on Line B in 2022. These trains allow for an increase in capacity on Line D. Further, they will be coupled to form four-car units at rush hours and should replace the [[MPL 75]] of Line B which would then solely run on Line A.

=== Map ===
{{Rapid transit OSM map
| system_qid   = Q1552
| frame-lat    = 45.744
| frame-long   = 4.85
| frame-width  = 500
| frame-height = 400
| zoom         = 12
| length       = yes
}}

==Operation==
[[File:MPL 16 TCL - Place_Guichard.jpg|thumb|Automatic trains on the [[Lyon Metro Line B]]]]
The Metro, like the rest of the local public transport system, is operated by [[Keolis]] Lyon (ex-SLTC - the ''{{lang|fr|Société lyonnaise de transports en commun}}'' (Lyon public transport company)), under the TCL brand - ''{{lang|fr|Transports en commun lyonnais}}'' (Lyon public transport). It is operated on behalf of SYTRAL Mobilités - the ''{{lang|fr|Syndicat mixte des transports pour le Rhône et l'agglomération lyonnaise}}'' (Rhône department and Lyon metropolitan transport syndicate), a [[Syndicat Mixte]]. On 1 January 2025 [[RATP Group|RATP Dev]] will take over operation of the metro.<ref>[https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/metros/ratp-dev-to-replace-keolis-as-operator-of-lyon-metro/ RATP Dev to replace Keolis as operator of Lyon metro] ''[[International Railway Journal]]'' 10 April 2024</ref>

== Future expansion ==
A new line, dubbed Line E, was under consideration to link Lyon's western suburbs to the city centre. Twelve variants were initially proposed; two options, running from either ''Bellecour'' or ''Hôtel de Ville'' to ''Alaï'', were selected for further study and could potentially have been opened  around 2030.<ref>{{cite news|title=Métro E entre Lyon et Tassin : plus que deux scénarios sur la table !|url=https://www.lyonmag.com/article/93586/metro-e-entre-lyon-et-tassin-plus-que-deux-scenarios-sur-la-table|access-date=9 February 2018|work=Lyon Mag|language=fr-FR}}</ref> In 2022, however, the plans for Line E and other metro extensions have been cancelled in favor of plans for new express [[Lyon tramway|tramways]], partly underground.

== See also ==
* [[List of Lyon Metro stations]]
* [[List of metro systems]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline|Lyon Metro}}
* [https://metromapworld.com/lyon-metro-map/ Lyon Metro Map on Google Maps with Geolocation]
* {{Official website|http://www.tcl.fr/|TCL – official website}} {{in lang|fr}}
* [http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/fr/lyon/lyon.htm Lyon at ''UrbanRail.net''] {{in lang|en}}
* [http://cartometro.com/metro-lyon/ Comprehensive map of the Lyon metro network] {{in lang|fr}}
* [[:fr:Métro de Lyon|Métro de Lyon]] {{in lang|fr}} – French Wikipedia has a much more detailed description of the Lyon Metro

{{France Metro Tramway}}
{{Keolis}}
{{Rapid transit in Europe}}
{{RATP Group}}
{{Urban rail transit in EU}}

[[Category:Keolis]]
[[Category:Lyon Metro| ]]
[[Category:RATP Group]]
[[Category:1974 establishments in France]]