MF 01
| Company type | Electric multiple unit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | MF 67 |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Products | Electric multiple units for Paris Métro Lines 2, 5, and 9 |
| Owner | RATP Group |
| Parent | RATP Group |
The MF 01 (; alternatively known as MF 2000) is an electric multiple unit featuring steel wheels, operating on the Paris Métro. Commissioned by the RATP Group in 2001 to succeed the aging MF 67 fleet, this series consists of 160 trains (totaling 800 cars) delivered between 2007 and 2015. It currently serves Lines Paris Métro Line 2, Paris Métro Line 5, and Paris Métro Line 9.
Unveiled to the media in June 2005, the MF 01 began testing in January 2006. It commenced commercial operations on Line 2 in June 2008, achieving full fleet deployment by March 2011. On Line 5, two trains underwent initial trials before commercial service launched in June 2011, with the number of trains reaching nearly 25 by April 2012.
In February 2011, the regional transport authority STIF authorized a €330 million acquisition of MF 01 units for Line 9. Following completion of Line 5 deliveries, the Line 9 trains were delivered starting in 2013 and continued through to 2016. While these units share many features with those on Lines 2 and 5—such as air conditioning—they introduced a new exterior livery co-branded by RATP and STIF, inspired by the MI 09 commuter trains on the RER A. The first train for Line 9 arrived in June 2013, initially operating on Line 5 before entering passenger service on Line 9 in October of the same year.
Conception
As numerous MF 67 trains approached their thirty-fifth year of service on Lines 2, 5, and 9, RATP recognized the necessity to modernize its steel-wheel rolling stock. In response to evolving European competition regulations, RATP implemented an open tender process. The contract worth €800 million was awarded to a consortium including Alstom, Bombardier, Technicatome, and CSEE to manufacture the MF 2000 trains. This project marked RATP's first experience assigning different train components to four separate manufacturers—a strategy that caused a one-year delay due to coordination challenges but ultimately reduced costs.
Description
The exterior styling of the MF 01, selected via a design competition, bears resemblance to the MP 89. Its interior layout also reflects the MP 89’s design, incorporating interconnected gangways and enhanced security features. Notably, it is the first Paris Métro rolling stock equipped with refrigerated ventilation systems both in driver cabins and passenger compartments. These systems are tailored to fit within the Metro’s narrow loading gauge while consuming less power than conventional air-conditioning units. Advanced traction and braking technologies contribute to a 30% reduction in energy usage compared to older train models.
Pre-production unit #001 is fitted with the Dilidam multimedia system; although all MF 01 trains are compatible with this technology, widespread implementation has been hindered by high costs. In August 2014, this particular train was repainted in a hybrid RATP/STIF livery and permanently assigned to Line 9 after initially running on Line 2.
Deliveries to Line 9
Contrary to earlier MF 01 deliveries for Lines 2 and 5, trains intended for Line 9 briefly enter revenue service on Line 5 prior to transfer. Due to limitations at Boulogne workshops servicing Line 9—which restrict extensive rolling stock cascades—and because Auteuil workshops (temporarily shared by Lines 9 and 10) lack facilities for MF 01 maintenance, major servicing is conducted at Bobigny workshops on Line 5.
Formations
As of 25 December 2021:
- A total of 173 MF 01 trainsets were operational, each consisting of three powered ("M") cars alongside two unpowered trailer ("T") cars.
- One trainset (001) was decommissioned following an accident in 2017.
By 1 March 2022:
- The Charonne depot (serving Line 2) housed 45 trainsets.
- Bobigny depot (serving Line 5) maintained 52 trainsets.
- Boulogne depot (serving Line 9) was assigned 74 trainsets.
<- Porte Dauphine Nation ->
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<- Bobigny Place d'Italie ->
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<- Pont de Sèvres Montreuil ->
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| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | T | M | M | M | T | ||
| Designation | 01 S1 xxx (trainset number) | 01 N1 xxx (trainset number) | 01 N3 xxx (trainset number) | 01 N2 xxx (trainset number) | 01 S2 xxx (trainset number) | ||
| Equipment | CP, SIV | VVVF | VVVF | VVVF | CP, SIV | ||
- VVVF: OniX IGBT–VVVF inverters
- CP: Air compressor
- SIV: Static inverter
References
This article includes content adapted from the equivalent page on the French Wikipedia.