The citizen consultation on the metro project in Lyon after 2026 having been completed, the elected representatives of Sytral will have to take a decision in the spring.
Only, the metro could finally be abandoned in favor of much less expensive alternatives.
Environmentalists are considering opting for an "express tram" or a "light rail".
The time is soon to choose.
During the citizen consultation on the four metro projects in Lyon [for after 2026], two "corridors very clearly emerged" and appear as priorities today: the extension of line B towards Caluire and Rillieux- la-Pape and the creation of line E to serve the plateau of the 5th arrondissement and the west of Lyon.
The elected officials of Sytral will be called upon to decide “in the spring”.
In the meantime, the fruit of the reflections undertaken was presented, this Thursday morning, to the metropolitan councillors.
However, the synthesis is akin to "a first class funeral", according to Philippe Cochet, the president of the LR group in the metropolis.
Because it is very likely that none of the four metros will finally be completed.
The reason is simple, the Sytral will have to tighten its belt.
The metro considered too expensive
The Lyon public transport network has not regained its level of attendance before the Covid-19 crisis, the “dynamics initiated have been lost”.
Result: the cumulative losses until 2040 are estimated at 850 million euros.
“If we maintain the same level of investment as that which was planned before the crisis [2.5 billion euros], it will take 17 years to repay the debt, instead of 8 years”, explains Bruno Bernard, wearing the double hat of president of the metropolis of Lyon and Sytral.
However, beyond a debt reduction ratio of 15 years, communities “are entering a critical phase”.
As you will have understood, the extension or construction of a metro line would cost far too much.
Between 1.5 billion and 2.3 billion euros, depending on the project.
"The question is to know at what level we can finance a project and what choice to make", summarizes Bruno Bernard who is now considering "alternative solutions" to relieve congestion in the territories concerned.
A mix of metro and tram
The recommended option: a "light metro" or an "express tram", i.e. a mode of transport located halfway between the classic metro and the tram, which would have the particularity of being able to circulate on the surface and underground .
“The size of the vehicles would be smaller than that of the metros but the transport capacity would be identical.
We would have the same traffic speed under the tunnels.
And a speed close to that of the tram on the surface, ”we develop in the services of the metropolis.
The cost would above all be twice as expensive: 1 billion euros against 2.3 billion for the Caluire-Rillieux-la-Pape corridor, 700 million euros instead of 1.5 billion for western Lyon.
"We save on the digging of tunnels which can be smaller and above all fewer than for a conventional metro, since part of the journey can be done on the surface", we still specify.
The site could thus be reduced to 8-10 years of work, against 11-13 years traditionally.
"We would not understand, and no doubt the citizens either, that Sytral renounces the development of the metro when this is what was proposed in the consultation", raises Florence Asti-Lapperière, metropolitan adviser of the Synergie group, calling the community to "deepen further research for additional funding" from the State.
“If we don't start these projects now, chances are we'll never realize them,” she warns.
Society
Lyon: The sling is organized to save the metro E
Lyons
Lyon: Reactions jostle at the gate after unfavorable opinions for the extension of metro lines
Lyons
Sytral
Public transport
Society
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