MI 09
| Company type | Electric multiple unit trainset |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | MI 2N |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Double-decker electric multiple units |
| Parent | Alstom and Bombardier partnership |
MI 09
The MI 09 () is a dual-voltage, double-decker electric multiple unit trainset operating on line A of the Réseau Express Régional (RER), which serves the Paris metropolitan area and the wider Île-de-France region.
A total of 140 trainsets, each composed of five cars, were manufactured through a partnership between Alstom and Bombardier. Derived from the earlier MI 2N model and part of Alstom’s X'Trapolis Duplex family, these units were assembled at Alstom’s Valenciennes and Bombardier’s Crespin plants between 2010 and 2017. The first MI 09 train entered operational service on 5 December 2011.
The deployment of the MI 09 fleet facilitated the withdrawal of the outdated MS 61 trains, which were phased out by April 2016. This transition also allowed for the reassignment of MI 84 trains to the RER B line by early 2017.
History
As the most heavily trafficked route within the RER network and one of the busiest rail corridors worldwide, line A accommodates more than 1.2 million passengers daily. To address capacity challenges, a fleet of 43 double-deck MI 2N trainsets was introduced in 1998 by Alstom and Bombardier, raising per-train passenger capacity to around 2,600 compared to approximately 1,887 on the older single-level MS 61 units.
Building upon this advancement, in April 2009, Île-de-France Mobilités (then known as the Transport Syndicate of Ile de France) alongside the RATP Group commissioned an order for 60 MI 09 trainsets—an enhanced iteration of the MI 2N—produced by the same Alstom-Bombardier consortium. The initial contract was valued at , with financial contributions from RATP amounting to , and STIF providing .
For each five-car formation, Alstom manufactured the two end cars equipped with driver cabs at its Valenciennes Petite-Forêt facility, while Bombardier produced the three intermediate cars at Crespin. Additional components originated from six Alstom factories specializing in traction motors, bogies, transformers, and electronic systems. Barat Group supplied assembly elements including secondary doors, lighting fixtures, fire-resistant and soundproof cabin partitions, as well as interior fittings.
The first MI 09 units were revealed in February 2011, followed by testing on three sets prior to entering passenger operations in December that year. Subsequent procurements included an order for 70 more trainsets in June 2012 valued at , and an additional ten sets acquired in February 2015 for , bringing total deliveries to 140 units by 2017 with an overall expenditure of .
Introducing the MI 09 enabled retirement of the aging single-level MS 61 stock on 16 April 2016 and facilitated redeployment of single-deck MI 84 trains onto RER B by February 2017.
Design
Each MI 09 unit consists of five cars with a total length of , and a width measuring . The trainset accommodates roughly 1,300 passengers both seated and standing. When coupled together, two trainsets form a ten-car configuration capable of carrying about 2,600 passengers. To expedite passenger flow during boarding and alighting, every car is fitted with three wide doors per side that align with platform height.
Accessibility provisions include thirty-four seats designated for passengers with reduced mobility along with two wheelchair spaces, supplemented by additional handrails near priority seating zones.
The maximum operational speed is designed to reach up to 120 km/h (75 mph).
Energy-saving features encompass regenerative braking technology, a high-efficiency traction drive system, and an HVAC system utilizing refrigeration that consumes less power compared to conventional air conditioning units. A Wi-Fi communication link between train and ground systems allows continuous real-time performance tracking for predictive maintenance purposes.
Electric regenerative and electrodynamic braking methods reduce reliance on mechanical disc brakes, thereby minimizing particulate emissions—an important consideration for air quality in underground stations.
The interior design was developed in collaboration with MBD Design and includes boarding areas offering views across upper and lower decks, lighting fixtures inspired by porthole shapes to enhance ambiance, and seat fabrics adorned with floral and botanical patterns.
Each car features audio-visual passenger information systems presenting upcoming stops through video screens coupled with voice announcements. A comprehensive CCTV network monitors all interior spaces to ensure safety and security.
Fleet
The MI 09 fleet consists of 140 trainsets, numbered from 1601/02 to 1879/80, all dedicated to service on RER Line A. These trainsets are serviced and maintained at RATP facilities located in Achères, Rueil-Malmaison, Sucy-en-Brie, and Torcy.
Each trainset is configured in a 3M2T layout, meaning three motorized cars and two trailer cars:
← Cergy-le-Haut/Poissy/Saint-Germain-en-Laye Boissy-Saint-Léger/Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy →
| ||||||
| Car No. | 1 > | 2 | 3 | 4 | < 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Trailer | Motor | Motor | Motor | Trailer | |
| Numbering | ZRBx 16xx (odd number) | ZBx 26xx (odd number) | ZB 36xx (trainset number) | ZAB 26xx (even number) | ZRBx 16xx (even number) | |
Pantographs are installed on cars 1 and 5, depending on the direction (< or >).