Unless there is a new hiccup, it will open on September 20. In any case, Siemens has promised Rennes Métropole. Announced for the end of 2020, line B of the Rennes metro is accumulating delays. The Covid-19 is obviously part of the reasons. But in recent months, it is mainly technical problems on the CityVal trains designed by Siemens that prevent the opening of the second line of the metro. “For us, everything is ready”, like to remind the managers of Semtcar, a semi-public company which is piloting the site at more than 1.3 billion euros.
Delivered one by one for several months, the 15 stations on line B are all ready to receive travellers. So ready that they broadcast music in ghost stations that see no one passing, apart from the trains still running in. “It’s curious, sometimes we hear voices speaking but it’s often music,” explains Elena, who lives close to Beaulieu station. “The metro stations and relay parks are in the blank running phase. The equipment is in operation there and is being tested by Keolis Rennes,” explains the metropolis. For several months, the operator has been testing the ventilation, smoke extraction systems, elevators and gates.
Even more curious. While Line B won’t open for two months, the escalators are constantly turning as they lead to closed stations. “This is a preventive maintenance measure: they have been installed for a long time and are designed to operate throughout the day because they are made up of heavy rotating parts which should not remain static for too long”, specifies the metropolis. Their operation has already surprised more than one inhabitant. Equipped with an idle system, they have the advantage of reducing their consumption when they are not carrying anyone. We hope that the break-in time will have been sufficient.
Under construction since 2013, line B of the Rennes metro should transport 100,000 people a day.