A Grander Paris Through a Rapid Circumferential Metro

[marmar]

from the Transport Politic blog:



From an international perspective, there are two really significant things about the newly approved plans for a radial rapid transit system around the French capital: First, its primary service area will be in the suburbs rather than in the center city; second, it will prioritize very fast transit times over local area connectivity.

These characteristics make last week’s agreement by regional and national officials to construct the Grand Paris Express network of rapid transit lines a truly significant pattern break in thinking about how to engage in the creation of better public transportation systems. Will this €22.7 billion ($31 billion) transit line, in connection with €12 billion in upgrades to the existing system, make Paris a model for local mobility? Or does it represent poor decision-making on the part of French authorities?



The agreement will require €9 billion in contributions from the state, €9 billion from the region and other local governments, €7 billion from new taxes mostly derived from tax-increment financing around station areas, and €7 billion from debt. It comes after years of political debate over how to better serve Paris’ near suburbs — and at the end of a series of public meetings on the question which will come to an end on Monday. Two proposals have been put forward: Regional authorities have been pushing what they call the Arc Express, a 37-mile route that would run a tight circle around the city and serve 50 stations or so; the national government, on the other hand, argued for its Métro Grand Paris, a 96-mile extension of the Metro Line 14 serving airports and far-off suburbs with only about 40 stations. To make matters even more complicated, a group of architects even submitted a counter-proposal.

....(snip)....

Automated trains running 24 hours a day will be up and running along some segments of the line by 2020 and the whole project should be completed by 2025. Operations will be comprised of an extended Metro Line 14 south to Orly Airport and north to St. Denis as the backbone of the system; a spur to Charles de Gaulle Airport; two parallel circumferential routes to the east of the city; and one or two circumferential routes to the west. The southwestern line, proposed to serve the university town of Saclay, has been criticized for running through a rural area that is unlikely to attract much ridership, or that will sprawl out of control. Though President Sarkozy has emphasized his support for the line, the regional government — partly controlled by the Green Party — has thus far refused to agree to this part of the project, saying they will only fund improved buses for the area.

Combined with about €12 billion in other funds also now dedicated for upgrades for the radial RER regional rail system, several new tramway and tram-train lines, and a number of metro extensions, the Grand Paris Express represents a massive investment in suburban mobility. The funding mechanism, premised on the idea that development will expand around stations, suggests that both the national and regional governments are committed to building up the already dense suburbs into truly urban areas of their own right. If the Paris region is known for very high transit mode shares within and to the center city, the automobile still dominates 80% of trips between suburbs. This infrastructure investment seems likely to change that equation significantly. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2011/01/29/a-grander-paris-through-a-rapid-circumferential-metro/

[xchrom]

1. sigh -- i love paris. nt

[marmar]

2. Moi aussi.

It's my favorite place on earth.

[xchrom]

3. +1

[CTyankee]

5. I'm going there in April, an art study trip. Haven't been there since I was 16

and my mother took me. I can't wait!

[xchrom]

8. i'm going to sneak into your luggage and pop out when you get there

surprise! :woohoo:

[CTyankee]

9. I'll be thinking about all my DU pals...

probably get some fodder for my Friday Afternoon Challenges...heh...

[spinbaby]

4. I'm so jealous

Here in Pittsburgh they're threatening drastic cutbacks to our already sucky transportation system.

[upi402]

6. Even developing countries kick our ass now

Much of Asia has better infrastructure. We are run by corporations that want to bleed the host pale as fast as they can. It's all they care about and we're supposed to worship at that altar.

[SoCalDem]

7. Oh my.. "circumferential"..are you trying to make freeper heads explode?

Seriously.. what a grand idea that is..and how nice & clean it is..

too bad we cannot get our own leaders to get busy..

[CTyankee]

10. A couple of weeks ago Tweety was making a big fuss over a high speed train between

Rome and Venice...he'd just been to Italy and was all "golly gee" over this train...honestly, that guy ought to get out of DC more often...