11/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - EIB loan for innovative Mettis transport in Metz (Lorraine, France). On Tuesday 10 July, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Metz Métropole signed a €50 million loan agreement to finance the Mettis (Metz transport network) project. The loan, with its highly competitive interest rate and 25-year maturity, will finance: - installation of 17.5 km of exclusive bus lanes (A and B) on the Mettis network; - acquisition of 27 innovative high performance 24-metre bi-articulated hybrid buses; - construction of a new maintenance centre and three park-and-ride facilities with scope for expansion. The EIB's overall contribution to the Mettis project will reach €80 million by 2013. (OL/transl.rt)