On Thursday, January 29, the RATP published a press release celebrating a new milestone for one of its flagship lines. Since its extension in 2024, line 14 is now the busiest in the network, dethroning line 1, which had held this “title” for several years.
Which is the busiest line on the Paris metro?
Published by Le Parisien last December,the metro reliability “barometer” highlighted the exemplary punctuality of lines 1 and 14, which recorded a gap of less than two minutes between trains during rush hour. Today, the performance of metro line 14 is also reflected in its ridership, which is breaking records. With an average of 820,000 passengers per day on weekdays, the purple line has seen a 45% increase compared to the winter of 2023-2024.
This increase is largely due to the extension of the line, which came into service in 2024. Line 14 now connects Saint-Denis Pleyel to Orly Airport, crossing Paris from north to south. It is a strategic route that serves major hubs such as Gare de Lyon, Châtelet, and Olympiades, while offering a direct connection to several RER and metro lines. As a result, the line has become an obvious choice for many daily journeys, both for residents of the metropolis and for travelers. Another key factor is that line 14 is fully automated, allowing for high frequency and improved regularity.
The RATP also points out that line 14 played a central role during the major events of 2024, particularly during the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Designed as one of the key lines serving several major sites, it has seen its ridership settle at a consistently high level, well beyond the summer period.