Transforming Lille’s public transport network

The €420 million project is supported by a loan of €245 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and a grant of €31.5 million from the European Commission awarded under the Public Sector Loan Facility which is part of the Just Transition Mechanism. The goal is to improve the public transport network in the Lille Métropole area, encouraging over one million residents to use sustainable alternatives to cars and reduce the environmental impact of the city.

As part of this project, Lille has ordered 27 new high-quality trams that are more comfortable, more reliable, have 30% more seats, and are accessible for passengers with reduced mobility. These new trams will help increase the service frequency of the transport system, make schedules more reliable, improve safety, and meet the growing demand, with passenger numbers expected to reach 60,000 per day by 2034. The project also includes upgrades to the existing tram network for better performance and safety.  

Lille is aiming to become one of France’s most bike-friendly cities and ambitious plan for the development of cycling network was developed. Over 200 km of bike lanes will be renovated with the support of PSLF, and new paths and pedestrian-cycling bridges will be built. Since 2023, nearly 30 km of cycle paths have already been upgraded, including the Lille-Tourcoing route which welcomes over 1000 cyclists per day. More than 60 km of new cycle paths have also been created. The new cycling infrastructure will expand and harmonise the cycling ecosystem of Lille and encourage more people to use bicycles. The new bicycle lanes are designed to enhance the daily lives of all citizens – students, workers, and families – making commuting safer, greener and more convenient for everyone.

These improvements are expected to make commuting safer and greener, and by 2035, it is estimated that about one-third of current car users will have made the switch to alternative transport, reducing traffic and air pollution.

Project numbers

• Project duration: 01/01/2023-31/12/2027
• EU grant: €31 500 000 
• EIB loan: €245 000 000

About the Public Sector Loan Facility (PSLF) and the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM)

The Public Sector Loan Facility is an instrument under the Just Transition Mechanism that aims at alleviating the social and economic effects of the transition towards climate neutrality in the EU regions. It is a blending facility that combines loans (up to around €6-8 billion) from the European Investment Bank (EIB) with grants (up to €1.3 billion) from the European Commission to help mainly public sector entities in the most affected EU regions (identified in the territorial just transition plans) to mobilise additional public investments and meet their development needs in the transition towards climate neutrality. These plans are drawn up by each EU Member State and outline the challenges to be addressed in each just transition region, together with the development needs and targets to be reached by 2030. 

The first PSLF call for proposals was launched on 19 July 2022 with 10 intermediate cut-offs until the end of 2025. There are 3 cut-off dates per year planned until the end of 2025. The next call for proposals will be launched in the second half of 2025.

PSLF is managed by DG REGIO and implemented by CINEA. 

About DG REGIO

The Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) is the department of the European Commission responsible for EU policies on regions and cities. It develops and carries out the Commission's policies on regional and urban policy. It assists the economic and social development of the developed and less developed regions across the European Union.

About CINEA

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is an Executive Agency established by the European Commission to implement parts of EU funding programmes for transport, energy, climate action, environment and maritime fisheries and aquaculture. CINEA aims to assist its beneficiaries, establish strong partnerships, deliver high-quality programme and project management, foster effective knowledge sharing and create synergies between programmes - to support a sustainable, connected, and decarbonised Europe.

About EIB

The European Investment Bank (EIB), whose shareholders are the 27 Member States of the European Union, is the EU’s long-term financing institution. The EIB provides loans to the public and private sectors to support high-quality investments contributing to the achievement of the EU headline targets. 

Visit the PSLF website to find out more about the Facility and the projects it funds.