One year after winning automatic metro lines 16 and 17, Île-de-France Mobilités has just appointed Keolis to operate line 18 of the Grand Paris Express, which will connect Massy-Palaiseau and Versailles-Chantiers. Keolis’ mobilisation period will begin in October 2024 with a two-year pre-operational phase, as the launch is planned in 2026.

• in October 2026, the 1st section of the network, connecting Massy-Palaiseau to Saclay, will open with four new stations
• in 2027, three new stations will be operational on the section between Massy-Palaiseau and the Paris Orly airport.
• in 2030, the 3rd section will open, with three new stations, and line 18 will finally link up Versailles-Chantiers.

Keolis will use its expertise in station management and the operation of automatic metros to improve the daily mobility of the Île-de-France inhabitants. The Paris metro line will be on a par with the automated metros we run in London, Doha, Dubai and Shanghai in terms of both performance and passenger experience.

People living in Essonne, Yvelines and Hauts-de-Seine will be able to get around more easily thanks to the numerous connections on future line 18, notably with :

• Transilien line N and U
• RER lines B and C
• tramway line T7, tram-train line T12 and several bus lines

Via line 14, passengers will enjoy a fast route to Paris from Orly airport station. Thanks to this connection and the one with Massy TGV station, line 18 will also contribute to national and international exchanges.

The future line 18, operated by Keolis, will link the major economic centres of Orly, Antony, Massy, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and Versailles, and will serve Paris-Saclay, one of the world's leading research and development centres.