Bern and Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The federal government gave Lausanne the green light Sunday to open its new M2 metro line, the first metro system in Switzerland. The six kilometre line, with 14 stops, will operate between Lausanne and Epalinges. The M2 will start 18 September, when a long weekend of celebrations begins in the city, but with reduced service until 24 October. A final series of tests will be completed during the first month of operation. According to 24 Heures, 300,000 people are expected in the city next weekend.

The new line will run on tires and is entirely automatic, with no conductor. Today’s Lake Geneva area papers run several articles on the new M2: 24 Heures, Le Temps, both in French.