ON MAY 20 Paris Transport Authority opened a 1·3 km extension of metro Line 13 to St Denis-Université. The terminus is designed as a multi-modal interchange with a bus terminal, bicycle storage, and a 300-space car park.
The extension from St Denis-Basilique is expected to attract around 14000 passengers a day. The total cost was Fr525m, which was funded 10% by the government, 70% by the Ile de France region and 20% by RATP .
St Denis will become the main terminus of Line 13 when the Météor automated metro takes over the branch from La Fourche to Asnières-Gennevilliers. The first 7 km of the new Line 14 between Tolbiac-Masséna and Madeleine via Gare de Lyon (right) is now nearing completion, and is due to be inaugurated by President Chirac in September.
RATP expects to receive the formal décret d’utilité publique this month for a light rail line to Noisy-le-Sec, following a public enquiry in January. Construction will start next year on the 3 km extension of the St Denis - Bobigny line with three intermediate stops, ready for opening in 2001. o
