# Lausanne Metro Line M2

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lausanne_Metro_Line_M2
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lausanne_Metro_Line_M2.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lausanne_Metro_Line_M2
> Source revision: 1356913683
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Transit line in Lausanne, Switzerland

Lausanne Metro Line M2 A Line M2 train near Grancy station Overview Locale Vaud, Switzerland Termini Ouchy Les Croisettes Stations 14 Service Type Rubber-tyred metro System Lausanne Metro Operator TL Rolling stock 18 2-car MP 89 TL trains Daily ridership 75,615 (average, 2013) Ridership 31.5 million (2018)[1] 28 million (2014)[2] 27.6 million (2013)[3] History Opened 2008; 18 years ago (2008) Technical Line length 5.9 km (3.7 mi)[3] Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge with running pads for the rubber tired wheels outside of the steel rails Route map Legend km Station 5.9 Croisettes 5.5 Vennes Garage 4.9 Fourmi 4.2 Sallaz 3.4 CHUV 2.8 Ours 2.3 Bessières 1.9 Riponne–Maurice Béjart 1.5 Lausanne-Flon 1.2 Lausanne-Gare 0.9 Grancy Montriond 0.6 Délices 0.3 Jordils 0.0 Ouchy–Olympique [4]

**Lausanne Metro Line M2** is a [metro](/source/Rapid_transit) line which runs between Ouchy-Olympique and Croisettes. The second line of the [Lausanne Metro](/source/Lausanne_Metro), it is 5.9 kilometres (3.7 mi) long [*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] and uses the alignment of the former [Lausanne-Ouchy railway](/source/M%C3%A9tro_Lausanne-Ouchy), plus a new route towards [Epalinges](/source/Epalinges), crossing the whole city of Lausanne from north to south. Construction work (including enabling works) took around 4 years,[5] and brought significant rebuilds of all former [Métro Lausanne-Ouchy](/source/M%C3%A9tro_Lausanne-Ouchy) stations, plus involved moving the platforms at [Lausanne-Flon station](/source/Lausanne-Flon_station) a short distance further north[6] to give [cross-platform interchange](/source/Cross-platform_interchange) from northbound M2 to the [Lausanne-Echallens-Bercher railway](/source/Lausanne-Echallens-Bercher_railway). The new line opened in autumn 2008.[5]

## Technical

The M2 under construction on the stretch of the former Métro-Ouchy

The line is not entirely underground, but the majority (70-90%) of the system is in a tunnel.[6][7] The line is steeply sloped, with an average incline of 5.7%, and as steep as 12% in some places.[8] A [rubber-tyred](/source/Rubber-tyred_metro) [metro](/source/Rapid_transit) was selected to counter these, the steepest slopes of any similar adhesion-worked system in the world.[6] The constraints in braking distance and deceleration are such that the M2 can travel faster upwards than downwards.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

The M2 Lausanne Gare station showing one of the steeply graded platforms.

The regular passenger route is 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi)[8] in length from [Ouchy](/source/Ouchy) to [Epalinges](/source/Epalinges), including 1.5 km (0.93 mi) of line that replaces the former Lausanne-Ouchy railway. There are 14 stations on the line, which makes a 338 m (1,109 ft) [vertical gain](/source/Grade_(slope)).[8] An additional 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) of track is contained within the depot at Vennes, along with the signalling, security and information facilities.[6]

The line is entirely automated, managed from a central command station. This means that it is cheaper to operate[6] than a traditional system with drivers, and more flexible[*[dubious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Accuracy_dispute#Disputed_statement) – [discuss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Lausanne_Metro_Line_M2#Dubious)*] during peak hours. The stations are equipped with [platform screen doors](/source/Platform_screen_doors) and dedicated station personnel are on hand to assist passengers. In contrast with [Line M1](/source/Lausanne_Metro_Line_M1), trains also run on a totally separate [right of way](/source/Right_of_way), meaning there is no conflict between the surface traffic and the metro, enhancing safety and reliability compared to a tramway. All new sections of the route were built as double track, plus the reused Lausanne-Ouchy alignment was also rebuilt as double-track, with the exception of the tunnel under the CFF station due to high costs. This leads to increased capacity and less potential for knock-on delays.

### Performance

The line opened in 2008 with a designed capacity of 25 million passengers/year, but exceeded this with 27.6 million by 2013,[3] and 28 million in 2014.[2] As of February 2015, overcrowding is now a significant problem, and the state has granted significant funds towards a programme which will improve capacity by running extra trains and building additional tracks.[2] Patronage has continued to rise, with 31.5 million passengers carried in 2018.[1]

Trains travel up to every 3 minutes[8] between the main railway station and [Sallaz](/source/Sallaz_station), with trains every 6 minutes along the rest of the line. The trains travel with a top service speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) top speed,[8] taking 18 minutes to travel the full length of the line. The line was designed for up to 6,600 passengers/hour in each direction.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Stations

[Ouchy](/source/Ouchy) M2 station, showing a train stabled on a closed platform 'not in use' and another train approaching in the distance. As this station is the end of line, the [track](/source/Track_(rail_transport)) end, is also visible.

Route of the M2

The underground stations are located as close as possible to the surface. They are equipped with stairs, lifts and facilities for handicapped people. The Lausanne slopes have been used to create multi-level access, make ramp access easier[6] and take advantage of natural light as much as possible. At [Lausanne-Flon](/source/Lausanne-Flon_station), there are connections to [Metro Line M1](/source/Lausanne_Metro_Line_M1) and the R20 service of [leb](/source/Lausanne%E2%80%93Bercher_line). At [Lausanne railway station](/source/Lausanne_railway_station), the line connects to regional train services of [RER Vaud](/source/RER_Vaud) and long-distance trains of [Swiss Federal Railways](/source/Swiss_Federal_Railways) (CFF) and [TGV Lyria](/source/TGV_Lyria).

Station Altitude New/existing Situation Stopping time Connections Ouchy–Olympique[9] 373 m (1,224 ft) existing Outdoors 70 sec Jordils 392 m (1,286 ft) existing Outdoors 25 sec Délices 408 m (1,339 ft) new Indoors 25 sec Montriond 420 m (1,378 ft) deleted Outdoors - Grancy 425 m (1,394 ft) new Outdoors 25 sec Lausanne railway station 451 m (1,480 ft) existing Underground 35 sec R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R9 Lausanne-Flon 473 m (1,552 ft) existing Underground 35 sec Riponne - Maurice Béjart 492 m (1,614 ft) new Underground 35 sec Bessières 500 m (1,640 ft) new Underground 25 sec Ours 517 m (1,696 ft) new Underground 35 sec CHUV 570 m (1,870 ft) new Underground 35 sec Sallaz 610 m (2,001 ft) new Indoors 35 sec Fourmi 651 m (2,136 ft) new Underground 25 sec Vennes 683 m (2,241 ft) new Underground 25 sec Croisettes 711 m (2,333 ft) new Underground 70 sec

## Rolling stock

[Mockup](/source/Mockup) of a bogie of a M2 train

- [Articulated vehicles](/source/Articulated_vehicle) with 4 powered bogies.[6]

- 15 two-car trainsets.[6]

- 222 passengers, 62 seated.[6]

- [Rubber-tyred metro](/source/Rubber-tyred_metro) with lateral guidance based on the [MP 89](/source/MP_89) from [Paris Métro](/source/Paris_M%C3%A9tro).[10]

- Fully automated ([CBTC Alstom Urbalis 300](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CBTC_Alstom_Urbalis_300&action=edit&redlink=1)).

### Technical data of the trains

- Length of a train : 30,680 mm (100 ft 7+7⁄8 in)

- Length of a car : 15,340 mm (50 ft 3+15⁄16 in)

- Width of a car : 2,450 mm (8 ft 7⁄16 in)

- Height of the car to ground level: 3,470 mm (11 ft 4+5⁄8 in)

- Mass of an empty train : 57,316 kg (126,360 lb)

- Mass of a train at maximum load (4 p/m2) : 72,856 kg (160,620 lb) (1)

- Width of the access doors : 1,650 mm (5 ft 4+15⁄16 in)

- Height of the access doors : 1,900 mm (6 ft 2+13⁄16 in)

(1) Calculated with an average of 70 kg (154 lb) per passenger.

Capacity of the trains Number of passengers/m2 Passengers per train Nominal load 4 pax/m2 222[6] Full load 6 pax/m2 314 Maximum load 8 pax/m2 406

### Delivery of the trains

The first train was delivered to Lausanne on 2 March 2006[5] and all the other trains were delivered at a rate of two per month. When they arrived, the trains were stored in the [CFF](/source/Swiss_Federal_Railways) storage of Lausanne. Once the métro's depot had been completed, the vehicles were moved to the Vennes facility by the Autumn of 2006.

With the line having been over its design capacity for at least 2 years,[3][2] the state granted funds for 3 additional metro trainsets in February 2015. The vehicles are being built in [Valenciennes](/source/Valenciennes) by [Alstom](/source/Alstom), who also built the original fleet, and are designed to be identical to the existing [rolling stock](/source/Rolling_stock).[11] The new vehicles, which are due to arrive in Lausanne by mid-2017,[11] are an interim solution to raise capacity on the central section of the line. Capacity between [Lausanne-gare](/source/Lausanne_railway_station) and Sallaz[2] stations will rise from 5,600 passengers per hour (each way) to 7,000 passengers per hour (each way) when they enter service in the last 3 months[11] of 2017. The longer-term plan, for which funding is now also in place, involves a new double-track tunnel under the railway station.[2]

## Accidents

On 23 February 2005, part of the tunnel under construction collapsed under the *Saint-Laurent* square in the centre of [Lausanne](/source/Lausanne). More than 500 m3 of debris (water and earth) fell into the tunnel, forming a huge fifteen metre gap. The area was completely evacuated for a few days and consolidation and geological analysis work started. A large pocket of water had not been noticed during the initial explorations.

Repair work lasted for a few months. The incident fortunately had no major consequence; nobody was in the area of the collapse which had heavily damaged a shopping mall. Part of the budget had been allocated for such risks and the deadline for the construction in December 2008 was not directly affected.

On 27 October 2006, a construction worker died from injuries. He had fallen a few days before on the construction site at the level of the entrance of the [University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV)](/source/University_Hospital_of_Lausanne).

On 28 July 2008, a high-level manager for [Alstom](/source/Alstom) who had responsibility for the security system for the new lines was found hanging in the stairwell at the entrance to the Vennes station of the M2. The 45-year-old French man's death appeared to have been a suicide.[12]

## Extensions and development

### New Lausanne-Gare section

The state has granted funds for major development of the Métro system, with plans in place for improvement work until 2025. Development on the m2 line will also provide for the future of a line 3. Capacity improvement is currently limited to the central and northern sections of the line, because the tunnel under the main railway station is only [single-track](/source/Single_track_(rail)). Funding is now in place to build a new double-track tunnel under the railway station, and relocate the métro station closer to the main-line platforms. This will mean extra capacity is available on the whole line, and will leave the original tunnel and 2006 station available for the planned [Line M3](/source/Lausanne_Metro#Line_M3).[2] As of October 2019, a further public scrutiny project is underway, and work to build the new tunnel and platforms is due to start in 2022, with the new route expected to be operational in 2027.[13]

### Northward extension

The end station Les Croisettes has been designed to allow a future extension of the line to the north[6] towards Epalinges-Village, or even [Le Chalet-à-Gobet](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Le_Chalet-%C3%A0-Gobet&action=edit&redlink=1).

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MetroBrochure10_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MetroBrochure10_1-1) [*Axes Forts - Développement des métros automatiques m2-m3*](https://www.axes-forts.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Metros_brochure_A4_PROD_PP_Web.pdf) (PDF) (in French), Agglomération Lausanne-Morges, May 2019, p. 10, retrieved 21 November 2019

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Plan2015_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Plan2015_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Plan2015_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Plan2015_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Plan2015_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Plan2015_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Plan2015_2-6) ["Des métros au coeur des transports publics du canton : un plan de développement des m2 et m3"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150220201141/http://www.bicweb.vd.ch/communique.aspx?pObjectID=508126) (in French). [Canton of Vaud](/source/Canton_of_Vaud). Archived from [the original](http://www.bicweb.vd.ch/communique.aspx?pObjectID=508126) on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Key-figs_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Key-figs_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Key-figs_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Key-figs_3-3) ["Chiffres clé 2013"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120513195529/http://t-l.ch/decouvrez/chiffres-de-reference.html) [Key figures 2013] (in French). [Transports publics de la région lausannoise](/source/Transports_publics_de_la_r%C3%A9gion_lausannoise) (TL). 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.t-l.ch/decouvrez/chiffres-de-reference.html) on 13 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** *Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz*. Cologne: Schweers + Wall. 2012. p. 70. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-89494-130-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-89494-130-7).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-M2Timeline_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-M2Timeline_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-M2Timeline_5-2) ["Chronologie - Site officiel de la Ville de Lausanne"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140716035119/http://lausanne.ch/lausanne-en-bref/lausanne-demain/mobilite/axes-forts/metro-m2/chronologie.html) [Timeline - Official site of the City of Lausanne] (in French). Archived from [the original](http://www.lausanne.ch/lausanne-en-bref/lausanne-demain/mobilite/axes-forts/metro-m2/chronologie.html) on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-RailwayTechReview_6-10) ["Lausanne Metro m2, Switzerland"](https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/lausanne/). *Railway-Technology.com*. Retrieved 19 August 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RailwayTechAug08_7-0)** ["Lausanne Subway Prepares to Handle Passengers"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140819155728/http://www.railway-technology.com/news/news41249.html). Railway Technology. 28 August 2008. Archived from [the original](https://www.railway-technology.com/news/news41249.html) on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LausanneM2Network_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LausanneM2Network_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-LausanneM2Network_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-LausanneM2Network_8-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-LausanneM2Network_8-4) ["Un réseau performant - Site officiel de la Ville de Lausanne"](http://www.lausanne.ch/lausanne-en-bref/lausanne-demain/mobilite/axes-forts/metro-m2/un-reseau-performant.html) [A performing network - Official site of the City of Lausanne] (in French). Retrieved 19 August 2014.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** In 2015, the metro station "[Ouchy](/source/Ouchy)" was renamed "Ouchy-olympique" to mark the 100th anniversary of the installation of the [International Olympic Committee](/source/International_Olympic_Committee) in Lausanne.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bradt258_10-0)** Lambert, Anthony (2013). *Switzerland without a Car* (5 ed.). [Bradt Travel Guides](/source/Bradt_Travel_Guides). p. 258. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1841624471](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1841624471).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RTmay15_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RTmay15_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-RTmay15_11-2) ["Alstom to deliver three additional metros for Lausanne Line M2 by 2017"](https://www.railway-technology.com/news/newsalstom-to-deliver-three-additional-metros-for-lausanne-line-m2-by-2017-4571401/). Railway Technology. 6 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["\[Dead link\]"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110927014353/http://www.lausanne.ch/view.asp?DocId=29628) (in French). Archived from [the original](http://www.lausanne.ch/view.asp?DocId=29628) on 27 September 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24heures24Oct_13-0)** Emmanuelle Birraux (24 October 2019). ["Lausanne:Le premier tronçon du métro m3 mis à l'enquête"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191025202047/https://www.24heures.ch/vaud-regions/lausanne-region/premier-troncon-metro-m3-mis-enquete/story/13579545) (in French). [24 heures](/source/24_heures_(Switzerland)). Archived from [the original](https://www.24heures.ch/vaud-regions/lausanne-region/premier-troncon-metro-m3-mis-enquete/story/13579545) on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.

v t e Lausanne Districts, places and parks Bois-de-Vaux Cemetery Chailly Jorat Lac de Sauvabelin La Cité Le Flon Montbenon Parc de Milan Parc de Mon Repos Place de la Palud Ouchy Vidy (Lousonna) Buildings and monuments Beau-Rivage Palace Cathedral Château d'Ouchy Château Saint-Maire Lausanne Palace EPFL Learning Center Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland Palais de Beaulieu Palais de Rumine Tour de Sauvabelin Synagogue Museums and culture Ballet Béjart Cantonal Botanical Garden Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts Cantonal Museum of Zoology Cantonal and University Library Cinéma Capitole Conservatory Musée Bolo Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts Collection de l'art brut Orchestre de Chambre Olympic Museum Photo Élysée Prix de Lausanne Swiss Film Archive Théâtre de Vidy Opera Public transport Bus lines Lausanne-Flon station Lausanne-Chauderon railway station Lausanne Metro Lausanne Metro Line M1 Métro Lausanne–Ouchy Lausanne tramway Railway station Trolleybuses in Lausanne Funiculaire Lausanne-Signal

v t e Urban public transport networks, systems and operators in Switzerland S-Bahn/RER Aargau Basel Bern Chur Fribourg/Freiburg Geneva Jura Lucerne Schaffhausen St. Gallen Vaud Zug Zurich Metro Lausanne Trams Operational Basel Bern Geneva Lausanne (light rail, 2nd generation) Neuchâtel Zurich Closed Altdorf–Flüelen Altstätten–Berneck [de] Biel/Bienne Lausanne (1st generation) Lugano Lucerne [de] Meiringen–Aare Gorge Mendrisio Schaffhausen [de] Schaffhausen–Schleitheim [de] Schwanden–Elm Schwyz [de] St. Gallen [de] Uster–Oetwil Wetzikon–Meilen Winterthur Trolleybuses Operational Bern Biel/Bienne Fribourg Geneva La Chaux-de-Fonds Lausanne Lucerne Montreux/Vevey Neuchâtel St. Gallen Winterthur Zurich Closed Altstätten–Berneck [de] Basel Fribourg–Farvagny Lugano Schaffhausen Thun–Beatenbucht [de] Val-de-Ruz [de] Current operators Bus only AAGS AMSA [de] ARAG ARL AWA [de] AZZK BBA BLWE [de] BOS [de] Chur Bus [de] PostBus Regiobus [de] Regionalbus Lenzburg RVBW Schneider [de] Sernftalbus Stadtbus Winterthur [de] STI TPN VB/Tpb VBL VBSH VMCV VZO Zimmerbergbus ZVB [de] Mixed AB ASM AVA BLS BLT BVB CJ FART MBC RBS SVB/Bernmobil SZU TL TMR RegionAlps TPF TPG TPL transN VBG VBSG [de] VBZ Rail only FB FLP LEB RhB SBB CFF FFS Thurbo SOB TILO ZB See also Federal Office of Transport Railway companies in Switzerland Rail transport in Switzerland Transport in Switzerland List of Swiss bus operating companies Tariff networks in Switzerland

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Transport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Transport)
- [Switzerland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Switzerland)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lausanne Metro Line M2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lausanne_Metro_Line_M2) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lausanne_Metro_Line_M2?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.