Lille metro system (France) is the world’s first metro VAL technology employed, a closed system wheeled fully automatic. It is the new generation of metro systems, a small profile light railway that operates automatically and it needs no operator.
VAL is an acronym that means “Véhicule Automatique Léger” (Light Automatic Vehicle) but at first meant “Villeneuve d’Ascq – Lille”
- Known as: Metro
- System Length: 33 mi
- Dimentions: 6 ft wide and 15 ft long (two linked cars).
- Number of lines: 2
- Number of stations: 59
- Top Speed: over 155 MPH
- Website: www.transpole.fr, uk.transpole.fr (English)
- Operator: Transpole Lille Métropole
- Average ridership: it carries 135.000 passengers per day, just line 1.
- Start of operation: It is operating since April 25 of 1983 connected the stations of Quatre Cantons (Villeneuve d’Ascq) and République (Lille) station.