Line B (Ligne B) is a line on the Lyon Metro in France that runs between Charpennes–Charles Hernu and Saint-Genis-Laval–Hôpital Lyon Sud. It was constructed using the cut-and-cover method, and went into service on 2 May 1978.[1] Together with Line A, it was one of the inaugural lines of the Lyon Metro. It has since been extended three times: from Part-Dieu to Jean Macé in 1981, from Jean Macé to Stade de Gerland in 2000, from Stade de Gerland to Oullins railway station in 2013 and to Saint-Genis-Laval–Hôpital Lyon Sud in 2023.[1] The line serves 12 stations, and is 10.2 kilometres (6.3 mi) long.[1] Line B trains run on tires rather than steel wheels; it is a rubber-tired metro line.
11 December 2013: Stade de Gerland – Gare d'Oullins
20 October 2023: Gare d'Oullins – Saint-Genis-Laval–Hôpital Lyon Sud
Extensions
Line B was extended a few kilometres southbound from Stade de Gerland to Oullins railway station. A tunnel had to be built under the Rhône River. This extension opened on 11 December 2013 at 2 pm (11/12/13, 14:00).
On 20 October 2023, Line B was extended from Gare d'Oullins to Saint-Genis-Laval–Hôpital Lyon Sud. This extension is 2.5 kilometres long and has two new stations: The first is "Oullins Centre" (city center of Oullins) and the second is "Saint-Genis-Laval–Hôpital Lyon Sud" (Lyon South Hospital in Saint-Genis-Laval).[3]
Oullins Centre station
Since June 2022, line B runs with a new driverless system, and new MPL 16 trains circulate on it. This new rolling stock has been ordered to Alstom in 2016. The current MPL 75 trains will join the others MPL 75 of line A to increase the capacity.
