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Transdev Begins Private Operation of Nice–Marseille Rail Line

The operator begins services with nine of 16 new Alstom trainsets under a pledge of hourly departures alongside a 97.5% punctuality target, prompting SNCF unions to hold strikes.

Lors de la présentation de l’une des nouvelles rames de la ligne Marseille-Toulon-Nice, à Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône) le 19 mai.
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Devant la gare Saint-Charles à Marseille le 19 mai 2018
À partir de dimanche, Transdev se substitue à l’opérateur ferroviaire historique pour exploiter la ligne Marseille-Nice pendant dix ans.

Overview

  • Transdev assumed service on the Nice–Marseille line on June 29 under a ten-year, €800 million public service delegation contract
  • Nine of the 16 Alstom trainsets have been delivered so far, with the remaining seven slated for completion by autumn 2025
  • The operator is bound to run 14 daily round trips between Marseille, Toulon and Nice with hourly departures and 97.5% on-time performance subject to penalties
  • Unions CGT, CFDT, FO and SUD have organized strikes and rallies in Marseille to denounce what they call the privatization of regional rail services
  • The Nice–Marseille corridor generates 34% of the network’s revenue despite accounting for only 10% of regional train movements, underscoring its economic importance