Paris-based public transport operator RATP exercised the option for a new tranche of 66 MF01 metro trainsets from the consortium made up of Alstom Transport, Bombardier Transport and Areva TA. This new tranche is worth more than $431 million. Financing for this tranche will be split 50/50 between STIF (Syndicat des transports d'Ile-de-France) and the RATP.

The trainsets are intended for use on line 9 of the Paris metro. Deliveries will take place from May 2013 to August 2016.

This order falls within the framework of the contract the RATP awarded to the consortium in July 2001, which provides for surveys, development, trials of a pre-production train and the optional supply of 160 trainsets. This is the third and final option exercise since the contract was signed. An initial tranche of 44 trainsets for line 2 had already been exercised in July 2006. A second option of 50 trainsets for line 5 had then been exercised in November 2007.

These trainsets will eventually replace the existing RATP fleet on lines 2, 5 and 9 of the Paris metro network. The first trainsets for line 2 were delivered in April 2008. Deliveries will continue at a rate of 20 per year until April 2013 for the last trainsets for line 5. The first trainset was brought into commercial service in June 2008.