SNCF Voyageurs signs Île-de-France commuter train operating contract

FRANCE: Greater Paris area transport authority Île-de-France Mobilités has signed a directly awarded contract for SNCF Voyageurs to continue to operate a package of Transilien suburban services in 2026-30. The contract includes higher requirements for several performance indicators. The 2026-30 contract signed on October 15 following several months of negotiations covers the lines still operated on a monopoly basis by SNCF Voyageurs: currently RER lines C, D and E through Paris, and Transilien commuter lines H, J, K, N, P, R and U.

IdFM is the largest client of SNCF Voyageurs, and the national passenger train operator’s Transilien division has 13 000 staff and carries 3.3 million passengers on 4 800 train services per day.

The new operating contract sets out the expected service levels and higher requirements for punctuality, passenger information, cleanliness and safety. It also covers the procurement of new rolling stock, refurbishment of existing vehicles and the continuation of a €1.2bn depot modernisation programme.

Annual operating costs of €3bn are to be funded by IdFM. A significant investment programme is also planned, with IdFM to spend €7.2bn on modernising the infrastructure, up 20% on the figure for 2021–25. A further €4.4bn is earmarked for the purchase of Alstom RER NG electric multiple-units for lines D and E as well as Alstom/CAF MI20 units for RER B.

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