On Monday, President Pécresse called for a new horizon for transport in the Ile-de-France region: a metro for all, adapted to ensure access for people with disabilities. The project is estimated to cost between €15bn and €20bn and will take two decades to complete. 

IPC President Andrew Parsons said, "This announcement is a clear example of how change starts with sport and how hosting the Paralympic Games triggers significant changes that will benefit millions of people for generations to come. Hosting the Paralympics has put the discussion of metro accessibility high on the agenda and it is wonderful to hear Il-de-France make this visionary announcement." 

"In every city that hosts the Paralympics, we see the step changes made in thinking and planning for the Games that ultimately lead to long-term attitudinal shifts. An accessible metro system for Paris would be the greatest legacy of the Paralympic Games that Paris could deliver to its own people and to people around the world who love to visit this iconic city," he said. 

Parsons said the announcement was the next step in upgrading the public transport system in Paris. "It is incredible to see how far Paris has come in the last seven years to make the city more accessible in preparation for the Paralympics. Paris now has a public bus system that is 100% accessible and during the Games there will also be an accessible taxi fleet for people with disabilities. 

"Paris also has one of the best-connected train networks in the world, but the accessibility of the metro stations has been a constant challenge for people with disabilities due to the historic stations with stairs. Upgrading the metro to make it accessible to all will transform the way people with disabilities experience Paris and provide a blueprint for other European cities to follow suit," said Parsons. 

The IPC President acknowledged that upgrading the Paris Metro system would require the combined support of all levels of government over a long period of time. There is much work to be done to turn this commitment by the President of Il-de-France into reality. We look forward to hearing from both the French Government and the Paris Council to understand their support for this project as well," he said.