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The metro network consists of two rubber-tyred lines (pneu - like Lyon and some Paris lines), with a total length of 19.3 km (15.6 underground). Line 1 (10.4 km) - Between Saint Just and Malpassé the line runs in the middle of a highway, after a short tunnel it continues on a viaduct to the terminus at La Rose. The rest of the line is underground. Line 2 (8.9 km) - This line ends on a viaduct at both sides, Bourgainville and Ste. Margarite - Dromel, the rest is underground. Stations usually have a very functional design, some are decorated thematically (for example, St. Charles - Railway Station shows a TGV high speed train on one side and a 19th century steam train on the other; Noailles shows old model trains, trams and trolleybuses; Notre-Dame du Mont has huge vegetables painted on the walls showing the way to the nearby market). There are two transfer stations - at Castellane both lines cross perpendicularly with a short walk and an escalator between Lines 1 and 2. St. Charles (Central rail station) appears to be of the cross-platform interchange type, but there is an island platform for Line 1 on the inner tracks, and two side platforms for Line 2 on the outer tracks, which means that passengers have to run up and down the stairs in any of the possible transfer options! Apart from this inconvenience stations have no elevators although most stations have escalators. Information
panels are good and easy to read. On the trains stations are not announced,
neither acoustically nor on a panel. There is an arrow showing which
side to get off, but usually it's not illuminated before the train gets
into the station. Trains have a very modern design, white outside and a strong orange inside. Tram 68 formerly shown on metro maps is a standard tram running in a tunnel only from its terminus 'Noailles' (transfer to métro) to its first stop 'Bruys' along Bd. Chave. It was closed in December 2003 to be integrated into the future tram line 1 to La Blancarde and Les Caillols. This will be part of a 3-line tram network, with all lines meeting around Noailles. Line 2 will run from Bougainville to Castellane, and Line 3 from Place 4 Septembre to La Blancarde (2006/2007). More details here. |
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| Photos | |
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| History | |
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22-11-1977:
Line 1
La Rose - St. Charles (6.3 km) |
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Projects |
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Line 1 is being extended with 4 stations from La Timone to La Blancarde, where interchange with SNCF and the tram system will be provided, and further to Saint-Barnabe and La Fourragère by 2009. Line 2 is planned be extended east with five stations to St. Loup-Pagnol. By 2007, the first sections of a 3-line tramway network will be completed. |
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| Practical Info | |
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- OPERATION The Marseille Métro only operates from 05:00 in the morning until 21:00 in the evening, with trains every 5 minutes (every 3-4 min. during rush hours). Service is extended until 00:30 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A trip on Line 1 takes 19 minutes and on Line 2 16 minutes. - FARES (2007, in Euro) The Marseille fare system is called 'Reseau Liberté' (Freedom Network). Tickets are valid for metro, tram and buses with free transfer within one hour: Solo
(single ticket) - EUR 1.70 Personal Tickets: Single
- EUR 1.20
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| Links | |
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Le Pilote (RTM & other transit) Marseille Metro & Tramway Project Felix Thoma's Marseille Métro Map Trams in Marseille by Christoph Groneck |
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| Books | |
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Christoph Groneck: Metros in France. - Aug. 2006, Robert Schwandl Verlag, ISB 3936573131
Jacques Laupiès: Marseille et son Métro 201 pages (2000) P. Tacussel ; ISBN : 2903963665
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